Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy proposed on Monday the potential deployment of foreign troops to Ukraine, which is currently facing the ravages of war, until the nation secures membership in the NATO military alliance. He made this statement during a joint press conference in Kyiv alongside German opposition leader Friedrich Merz, amid growing discussions regarding Donald Trump’s possible return to the White House and its implications for a resolution to Russia’s ongoing conflict, now in its 33rd month.

Throughout the war, Ukraine has actively sought an invitation to join NATO, emphasizing the necessity of security guarantees to deter any future Russian invasions once the current conflict concludes. “A contingent of troops from one or more countries could be stationed in Ukraine until it becomes a NATO member. However, we need a clear timeline for when Ukraine will join the EU and NATO,” Zelenskiy remarked.

In February, French President Emmanuel Macron stirred debate in Europe by suggesting that European nations might send troops to Ukraine, although he noted the lack of a unified agreement on this issue. “Even if we receive an invitation to NATO, what will happen next? Who will ensure our security? We should consider and develop Emmanuel Macron’s proposal,” Zelenskiy stated. He also expressed his intention to reach out to outgoing U.S. President Joe Biden in the coming days to discuss NATO membership.

I plan to reach out to President Biden soon to talk about the possibility of extending an invitation to join NATO, he conveyed via an interpreter. “As the sitting president, his perspective carries significant weight. It wouldn’t be particularly logical to discuss this with Trump before he assumes office.”

Russia has insisted that Ukraine renounce its aspirations for NATO membership, viewing Kyiv’s inclusion in the alliance as a serious security threat.