Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has warned that any U.S. withdrawal from NATO would force Europe to fundamentally redesign its security architecture, arguing that the continent cannot rely on its current structure alone to deter Russia.
Speaking on The Rest Is Politics podcast, Zelensky said Europe’s future security would need to rest on a broader coalition that includes the United Kingdom, Ukraine, Türkiye, and Norway, alongside the European Union.
His remarks come amid renewed debate over the long-term American role in NATO and growing concern across Europe about Russian military expansion.
Europe Cannot Depend on Current Structure Alone
Zelensky said that if Washington were to withdraw from NATO, European security could no longer depend solely on the EU in its present form.
According to him, Europe would need to expand both politically and militarily.
He specifically named:
- United Kingdom
- Ukraine
- Türkiye
- Norway
as four key states that together could provide the military weight needed to counter Russia.
Zelensky argued that the combined armed forces of the UK, Ukraine, and Türkiye would be stronger than Russia’s military, particularly when combined with European economic capacity.
His central message was clear:
security must come before economic considerations.
Security First, Economy Second
Zelensky emphasized that Europe must reverse its current priorities.
“Security comes first, economy second,” he argued, warning that economic integration without hard military guarantees leaves Europe exposed.
This warning was directly linked to concerns over Russia’s long-term force expansion plans.
He pointed to projections that Russia could expand its military to 2.5 million personnel by 2030, which would significantly alter the balance of power across Europe.
For that reason, he said, Europe must focus first on preserving strategic independence.
NATO Debate Revives Questions Over Europe’s Defense
The comments also reflect wider anxiety about future U.S. commitment to NATO.
Discussions around possible American force reductions or broader alliance restructuring have intensified in recent months.
For Kyiv, the issue carries particular historical weight.
Zelensky used the interview to revisit the Budapest Memorandum, under which Ukraine gave up its nuclear weapons in exchange for security assurances.
He described that decision as a major strategic mistake.
According to Zelensky, NATO membership should have been the minimum guarantee provided in exchange for surrendering the world’s third-largest nuclear arsenal.
Instead, he said, Ukraine received no meaningful security umbrella.
Russia’s Long-Term Objective Remains Clear
Zelensky also argued that Russian President Vladimir Putin has not abandoned broader ambitions in Ukraine.
While he said Putin likely understands that full occupation of Ukraine is unrealistic, he warned that Moscow may be seeking a pause that can later be converted into renewed offensive action.
In particular, Zelensky highlighted the strategic importance of Donbas, describing it as critical to Ukraine’s industrial base and defensive depth.
He warned that any forced withdrawal from Donbas could fracture national unity and create conditions for a future Russian “blitzkrieg.”
Why NATO Withdrawal Matters Beyond Ukraine
The broader significance of Zelensky’s remarks lies in what they signal for Europe as a whole.
A U.S. withdrawal from NATO would not only affect Ukraine.
It would force the entire continent to reconsider how to secure:
- land borders
- maritime routes
- airspace defense
- military mobilization
This is why Zelensky framed the issue not simply as a Ukrainian concern, but as a European one.
Without a credible transatlantic deterrent, Europe would need to build a new strategic center of gravity.
