MUNICH (AP) — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized on Saturday the urgent need for establishing an “armed forces of Europe,” citing concerns that the United States may no longer be a reliable supporter of European security.

In a related development, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz criticized the interference of American officials in Germany’s electoral processes after U.S. Vice President JD Vance berated European leaders for their democratic practices and held discussions with a leader from the far-right party in Germany.

WATCH: Vance addresses European partners on democracy at the Munich Security Conference

The passionate addresses from Zelenskyy and Scholz during the second day of the Munich Security Conference highlighted the repercussions of numerous decisions by former U.S. President Donald Trump, revealing a deepening divide in transatlantic relationships.

European leaders are grappling with the fallout from Trump’s surprising move to negotiate with Russian President Vladimir Putin, aimed at potentially halting the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. On Saturday, Trump’s special envoy for Ukraine and Russia seemed to dismiss any involvement of European nations in future peace negotiations.

Expressing his vision for a stronger Europe, Zelenskyy remarked that Ukraine’s three-year struggle against Russia has proven the viability of establishing a European army—an idea that has been debated among various European leaders for some time.

“I firmly believe that the time has arrived,” he stated. “The armed forces of Europe must come into existence.”

Zelenskyy referenced a recent phone call between Trump and Putin, after which Trump indicated that he and Putin would soon meet to discuss a potential peace agreement regarding Ukraine, diverging from the Biden administration’s tougher stance against Russia following its extensive invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Trump later assured Zelenskyy that he would also be invited to the negotiating table, to which the Ukrainian leader insisted that Europe deserves inclusion as well.

“Ukraine will never agree to agreements made without our participation, and this principle should extend to all of Europe,” Zelenskyy asserted, noting, “Not once did (Trump) mention that America needs Europe included in this dialogue.”

“This speaks volumes,” he remarked. “The era where America backed Europe simply because that was the norm is over.”

“As we persevere through this conflict and lay the foundation for peace and safety, we must establish the armed forces of Europe,” Zelenskyy emphasized.

He clarified that his proposal is not intended to replace NATO but to ensure Europe’s contributions to their partnership are on par with those of the United States.

It remains uncertain whether this concept will gain traction among European leaders. For years, Zelenskyy has advocated for increased military and economic support from the European Union, warning of the risks posed by Russia’s expansionism to other regions within Europe.

Although the European bloc, alongside the United States, has been a robust ally of Kyiv, internal political discord within the EU regarding its relations with Moscow, compounded by economic limitations that have curtailed defense budgets, has hindered more substantial assistance.

Potential Exclusion of Europeans from Ukraine Peace Talks

European leaders find themselves trying to navigate a new, stringent approach from Washington on matters related to democracy and the future of Ukraine, as the Trump administration continues to disrupt transatlantic norms established post-World War II.

General Keith Kellogg, Trump’s special envoy for Ukraine and Russia, all but eliminated the possibility of including European nations in discussions regarding Ukraine and Russia, notwithstanding Zelenskyy’s appeal for their involvement.

WATCH: EU’s foreign policy chief addresses Ukraine’s future amid changing U.S. support

“You can have Ukrainians, Russians, and Americans at the negotiating table,” Kellogg remarked at an event organized by a Ukrainian businessman. When pressed about the exclusion of Europeans, he stated, “I subscribe to a school of realism. I don’t foresee that happening.”

“Our priority is to ensure Ukrainian sovereignty,” he asserted, adding that the “European alliance will be crucial to this effort.”

When queried about what he would convey to Trump if he were present at the conference, Poland’s Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski expressed intentions to remind Trump of the United States’ commitment to stand with Ukraine until it achieves its independence.

“The credibility of the United States is tied to the resolution of this conflict — not just that of the Trump administration, but the U.S. as a whole,” Sikorski cautioned.

Germany’s Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock described the new U.S. position as a “critical moment,” urging European leaders to overcome their differences and unite for a substantial peace in Ukraine.

“This is a defining moment for Europe. It’s an opportunity for Europe to assert itself,” she stated. “There will be no enduring peace unless it is achieved through a consensus among Europeans.”

Iceland’s Prime Minister Kristrún Frostadóttir expressed concern over unclear directives from Washington.

“There remains uncertainty regarding U.S. intentions. It would be beneficial for us to exit this conference with a clearer understanding,” she remarked.

German Chancellor Responds to Vance

Earlier, Chancellor Scholz expressed satisfaction with what he described as a mutual commitment with the United States to “uphold Ukraine’s sovereign independence” and agreed with Trump on the necessity of concluding the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

However, Scholz also condemned the recent political shift from Washington, reaffirming his strong opposition to far-right ideologies and stressing that his country will not tolerate external interference in its democratic processes.

A day prior, Vance had criticized European leaders at the conference, suggesting that free speech was declining across the continent. He mentioned that many Americans perceive entrenched interests in Europe using terms reminiscent of Soviet-era propaganda like misinformation and disinformation.

Vance argued that no democracy could endure if it disregards the voices of millions of voters, labeling their concerns as “invalid.” He also held meetings with the co-leader of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, which is currently polling second behind Scholz’s Social Democrats ahead of the elections scheduled for February 23 in Germany.

Referencing Germany’s historical context, Scholz asserted that the longstanding commitment to “Never Again” — a resolve to resist the far-right — cannot align with supporting the AfD.

“We will not accept external interference in our democratic processes and elections from those scrutinizing Germany from a distance,” he declared. “That’s simply unacceptable among allies. We categorically reject it.”

“The future trajectory of our democracy is ours to dictate,” Scholz concluded.

Blann reported from Kyiv, Ukraine, Keaten from Lyon, France, with contributions from Sylvia Hui in London and Ilia Novikov in Kyiv, Ukraine.