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Zelensky demands U.S. troops put their lives on the line in Ukraine for peace deal

By isabelle // 2025-01-26

• Ukrainian President Zelensky demands U.S. and European troops enforce a ceasefire, sparking criticism over risking American lives in a distant conflict.
• Zelensky insists U.S. involvement is non-negotiable, calling for 200,000 European soldiers and American troops to counter Russian advances.
• Russia rejects any peace deal involving Western military presence, emphasizing Ukrainian neutrality as a key condition for ending the war.
• Putin expresses openness to talks with former U.S. President Trump, suggesting the war might have been avoided under Trump’s leadership.
• The path to peace remains uncertain, with Zelensky’s bold demands highlighting Ukraine’s desperation and the limits of Western support.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has sparked outrage by insisting that American troops must be deployed to Ukraine as part of any potential peace deal with Russia. Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, this week, Zelensky called for a massive Western peacekeeping force, including 200,000 European soldiers and U.S. troops, to enforce a ceasefire. His demand has drawn sharp criticism, particularly from those who question why American lives should be risked in a conflict thousands of miles from U.S. soil. Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin has signaled openness to meeting with former U.S. President Donald Trump to discuss ending the war, further complicating the diplomatic landscape.

Zelensky’s bold request

Zelensky’s remarks at Davos were nothing short of audacious. “We need contingents with a very strong number of soldiers,” he declared. “From all the Europeans? Two hundred thousand. It’s a minimum. Otherwise, it’s nothing.” He doubled down in an interview with Bloomberg, emphasizing that U.S. involvement is non-negotiable. “It can’t be without the United States. Even if some European friends think it can be, no, it can’t be. Nobody will risk without the United States,” he said. The Ukrainian leader’s demand comes as Russia continues to advance in eastern Ukraine, with Moscow firmly rejecting any peace deal that includes a significant Western military presence. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has already dismissed similar proposals, stating that Moscow is “certainly not satisfied” with such arrangements. For Russia, Ukrainian neutrality is a key condition for peace, making Zelensky’s call for foreign troops a non-starter. Zelensky’s insistence on U.S. troop deployment has drawn sharp criticism from those who argue that American soldiers should not be sent to die in a foreign conflict. Critics point out that Ukraine’s war with Russia is a regional dispute, and while the U.S. has provided significant military and financial aid, direct involvement risks escalating tensions and entangling the U.S. in a prolonged conflict. Moreover, Zelensky’s demand raises questions about his strategy. By calling for a massive foreign military presence, he risks alienating allies who are already wary of escalating the conflict. His comments also highlight the growing desperation in Kyiv as Russian forces continue to make gains on the battlefield.

Putin said he's open to talks with Trump

While Zelensky pushes for Western intervention, Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed willingness to engage with former U.S. President Donald Trump to discuss ending the war. “We are always open to this,” Putin said in a recent interview, adding that he believes the Ukraine crisis might have been averted if Trump had remained in office. Trump, who has long claimed he could end the war “in one day,” has tasked his envoy, Keith Kellogg, with finding a solution within 100 days. However, details of the administration’s plan remain unclear. Trump has also warned Putin that failure to reach a deal could result in new sanctions and tariffs, though Putin has dismissed such threats as counterproductive.

A fragile path to peace

As the war drags on, the path to peace remains fraught with challenges. Zelensky’s demand for U.S. troops underscores the high stakes for Ukraine, but it also highlights the limits of Western support. Meanwhile, Putin’s openness to talks with Trump offers a glimmer of hope, although it remains to be seen whether the two leaders can bridge the deep divides between Moscow and Kyiv. Sources for this article include: News.Antiwar.com Bloomberg.com TheGuardian.com CNN.com

Ukraine military Trump Putin chaos ceasefire WWIII Zelensky Russia-Ukraine war