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Zelensky Highlights the Importance of European Participation in Peace Negotiations at the Munich Security Conference.
The President of Ukraine emphasizes the need for security guarantees and European involvement in discussions concerning the conflict with Russia.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky spoke at the Munich Security Conference on Saturday, underscoring that any talks about ending hostilities in the ongoing conflict with Russia must include Ukraine and Europe directly.
Zelensky asserted, "No decisions about Ukraine without Ukraine, no decisions about Europe without Europe. Europe must have a seat at the table." His comments come as reports indicate that U.S. President Donald Trump is preparing to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin to start discussions aimed at resolving the conflict—an initiative Zelensky termed unexpected for Ukraine and its European allies.
He urged Washington to develop a "common plan" for dealing with the situation regarding Russia, citing a lack of cohesion following a meeting with U.S. Vice President JD Vance on Friday.
He emphasized that any ceasefire agreement must rely on "real security guarantees," and insisted these guarantees need to include significant sanctions against Russia as well as increased military support for Ukraine.
During his speech, Zelensky indicated that Kyiv would be open to proposals for deploying European troops as peacekeepers in Ukraine, although he recognized the necessity of negotiating the logistics with European partners.
He expressed concern that the U.S. appeared to be orchestrating dialogue between Trump and Putin, warning that Putin might seek to use Trump for his own purposes, potentially even extending an invitation to Russia’s World War II victory parade in May.
"We must apply pressure together -- to achieve real peace," Zelensky noted, declaring that "Putin cannot offer real security guarantees," which he attributed to the notion that Russia needs conflict to maintain its control domestically.
He mentioned ongoing talks about a possible agreement with Washington that would facilitate access to Ukraine’s rare earth deposits in exchange for security assistance.
Zelensky's address also included a broader appeal to European leaders, urging them to "act in your own interest" amid uncertainty about U.S. support in light of Russian aggression.
He called for European unity and suggested the formation of a European army to strengthen the continent’s defense capabilities against external threats.
Zelensky asserted, "No decisions about Ukraine without Ukraine, no decisions about Europe without Europe. Europe must have a seat at the table." His comments come as reports indicate that U.S. President Donald Trump is preparing to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin to start discussions aimed at resolving the conflict—an initiative Zelensky termed unexpected for Ukraine and its European allies.
He urged Washington to develop a "common plan" for dealing with the situation regarding Russia, citing a lack of cohesion following a meeting with U.S. Vice President JD Vance on Friday.
He emphasized that any ceasefire agreement must rely on "real security guarantees," and insisted these guarantees need to include significant sanctions against Russia as well as increased military support for Ukraine.
During his speech, Zelensky indicated that Kyiv would be open to proposals for deploying European troops as peacekeepers in Ukraine, although he recognized the necessity of negotiating the logistics with European partners.
He expressed concern that the U.S. appeared to be orchestrating dialogue between Trump and Putin, warning that Putin might seek to use Trump for his own purposes, potentially even extending an invitation to Russia’s World War II victory parade in May.
"We must apply pressure together -- to achieve real peace," Zelensky noted, declaring that "Putin cannot offer real security guarantees," which he attributed to the notion that Russia needs conflict to maintain its control domestically.
He mentioned ongoing talks about a possible agreement with Washington that would facilitate access to Ukraine’s rare earth deposits in exchange for security assistance.
Zelensky's address also included a broader appeal to European leaders, urging them to "act in your own interest" amid uncertainty about U.S. support in light of Russian aggression.
He called for European unity and suggested the formation of a European army to strengthen the continent’s defense capabilities against external threats.
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