Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said that as many as 110,000 foreign troops could be needed to ensure peace in Ukraine after any deal with Russia, with Britain's Royal Navy potentially assigned to protect Ukraine's coast.
According to foreign media, Zelensky said that if his country's armed forces had sufficient weapons, dozens of fighter jets, and highly capable air defense systems, they could defend themselves.
Another alternative, however, could be international forces deployed to prevent Vladimir Putin from attacking Ukraine again.
Zelensky said that in such a situation he would like the United States to play a role, although Donald Trump's Defense Secretary this week ruled out sending US troops to Ukraine.
"If we are talking about a contingent, I have a map that shows 110,000 foreign troops. I am honest with you," Zelensky told a group of journalists on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference.
"Ideally, our partners who are professionals at sea like Britain, the Nordics, etc., if they are experts, it would be better if they were at sea," he said, writes A2 CNN.
"That's how it should be, to be completely honest. So, yes, we want the United States to be involved, right?" Zelensky continued.
The Ukrainian leader will meet with JD Vance, the new US vice president, at the Munich Security Conference.
But, in response to a question from Sky News, he said he was not aware of any plans for meetings with Russian officials, despite Mr Trump saying on Thursday night that senior Russians would be in Munich for talks with the Americans and Ukrainians.
Instead, Zelensky laid out what he considers the proper choreography for any negotiations to end Russia's war in Ukraine.
"I will be very, very clear," he said, speaking in English, writes A2 CNN.
"First, however, I see the order of meetings and decisions. First, I don't want to just meet with Russia, just meet about what?
"No. We see the order of the meetings. As I said, the order is the United States, Europe, then Russia to be ready for this meeting, which is the first," Zelensky said. (A2 Televizion)
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