Volodymyr Zelenskyy says he believes it is time for the creation of an "armed forces of Europe", adding his army was "not enough".
Speaking at the Munich Security Conference, the Ukrainian president said Europe cannot rule out the possibility that "America might say no to Europe on issues that threaten it".
Ukraine has been defending itself from Russia's full-scale invasion for nearly three years.
Mr Zelenskyy noted that many leaders have long spoken about how Europe needs its own military.
"I really believe that time has come," he told the gathering in Germany.
"The armed forces of Europe must be created."
Zelensky said that, as well as Ukraine, Europe "should have a seat at the table when decisions about Europe are being made".
The US president later said that he and Putin planned to meet in Saudi Arabia, and wrote on social media that the two had invited each other to their respective capitals.
But Zelensky accused Putin of playing a "game", by isolating America in "one-on-one" talks.
"Next, Putin will try to get the US president standing on Red Square 9 May this year, not as a respected leader but as a prop in his own performance," Zelensky said.
Speaking at the Munich Security Conference, the Ukrainian president said Europe cannot rule out the possibility that "America might say no to Europe on issues that threaten it".
Ukraine has been defending itself from Russia's full-scale invasion for nearly three years.
Mr Zelenskyy noted that many leaders have long spoken about how Europe needs its own military.
"I really believe that time has come," he told the gathering in Germany.
"The armed forces of Europe must be created."
Zelensky said that, as well as Ukraine, Europe "should have a seat at the table when decisions about Europe are being made".
The US president later said that he and Putin planned to meet in Saudi Arabia, and wrote on social media that the two had invited each other to their respective capitals.
But Zelensky accused Putin of playing a "game", by isolating America in "one-on-one" talks.
"Next, Putin will try to get the US president standing on Red Square 9 May this year, not as a respected leader but as a prop in his own performance," Zelensky said.
