What did the Ukrainian president talk about at the Munich Security Conference?

^{Photo: Ronald Wittek / EPA / Scanpix / LETA}
The Munich Security Conference is underway in Germany. Its main topic is Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky spoke at the conference on February 15. Meduza quoted from his speech.

Zelensky began his speech by recalling that Russian drones had struck the containment structure of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant. The Kremlin denied involvement in the attack, calling it a provocation.

What else did Zelensky talk about? Key points

Russia is increasing the size of its troops. Putin can afford it - oil prices are still quite high. That's why Putin is indifferent to peace.

Russia is planning to deploy troops to Belarus in the summer under the pretext of “exercises.” Are these forces in Belarus planning to invade Ukraine? Maybe. Or is this for you? Let me remind you: Belarus borders three NATO countries. It has effectively become a staging ground for Russian military operations.

Europe needs its own European armed forces, and it should not only look to the United States for help in the event of a threat. To be honest, we cannot deny that America can say “no” to issues that threaten Europe. Europe should simply unite and start working so that no one says no to Europe, controls it, or sees it as an obstacle.

Europe needs a common foreign policy. President Trump once said: “It’s not the family you were born into, it’s the family you create that matters.” We need to build as close a relationship with America as possible, and yes, new relationships, but as Europeans, not just as individual states.

Europe needs a level of cooperation that Washington should take seriously. Europe needs one common voice, not dozens. Even those who regularly visit Mar-a-Lago [Trump's residence] must be part of a strong Europe - because President Trump does not like weak friends. He respects strength.

No decision on Ukraine will be made without Ukraine. There is no solution for Europe without Europe. A few days ago, President Trump told me about his conversation with Putin. He never once said that America needs Europe at the negotiating table. That means a lot.

Ukraine will not back down from its goal of becoming a member of NATO. The basis of any security guarantees for Ukraine must be NATO membership. Or - if not - conditions that will allow us to build another NATO in Ukraine.

The pressure on Russia must continue. Putin cannot guarantee security; he needs war to stay in power. It is this pressure that will guarantee peace, not Putin's words, not some papers.

Putin is lying. His decisions are known in advance, he is weak. We need to use this now, not later. And we need to act as Europe, not as a group of individuals. Follow “Zamin” news on “Telegram”