U.S. troops should be part of peacekeeping forces in Ukraine, Zelenskyy says. Russia threatens escalation

He stated this in an interview with Bloomberg during the World Economic Forum in Davos.

"They will not have relaxed time. Yes, it's very important because I heard that some allies said that, 'Yes, but it's okay, we can be in the center of some city.' And no, no, no, we don't need such contingent," the president emphasized.

According to him, peacekeepers must be on the front line with Ukrainian forces because that would  "mean security." At the same time, such a mission is impossible without the involvement of the United States.

"It can't be without the United States. I will explain to you why. Even if some European friends think that it can be, no, it will not be. First of all, nobody will risk without the United States. The second, what can divide NATO, divide the EU and USA, that is a goal and dream of Putin — to divide this unity," Zelenskyy added.

Russia's reaction

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova stated at a briefing on January 23 that the deployment of NATO troops in Ukraine would allegedly lead to an "uncontrolled escalation."

"I would like to recall that the intervention of NATO forces in Ukraine threatens an uncontrolled escalation of the conflict and is categorically unacceptable for Russia," the diplomat was quoted as saying by Vedomosti.

• Previously, retired U.S. Admiral and former commander of U.S. and NATO forces in Europe, James Stavridis, shared his vision for resolving the Russian-Ukrainian war, which Donald Trump could facilitate. According to him, in case of agreements with Russia, European peacekeepers could be involved instead of American ones.
• German chancellor candidate Friedrich Merz believes that Germany's participation in a peacekeeping mission in Ukraine requires an international mandate and Russia's consent.
• President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says that Ukraine will need at least 200,000 peacekeepers to prevent a new Russian attack after any ceasefire agreement.