Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy delivered a powerful address at the Munich Security Conference, emphasizing the critical need for U.S. support in Ukraine's defense against Russia's ongoing invasion. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz robustly defended his government's position against far-right influences while U.S. Vice President JD Vance admonished European leaders for their perceived inadequacies in upholding democratic principles. In a series of high-stakes discussions, leaders sought to chart a course toward peace, albeit with varying strategies and concerns over Russian President Vladimir Putin's intentions.
Zelenskyy underscored Ukraine's precarious situation, stating that the nation's survival hinges largely on continued U.S. backing against Russian aggression. His remarks came amid intense bilateral talks with Vice President Vance, where they discussed potential security guarantees and a joint U.S.-Ukrainian peace plan. Zelenskyy cautioned that any negotiations with Putin must include Ukraine to ensure genuine resolution and prevent Moscow from using talks as a mere tactic to lift sanctions and regroup militarily.
Scholz, addressing the conference before Zelenskyy's speech, stressed the need to bolster Ukraine's armed forces to deter future Russian attacks. He asserted that any peace with Russia must secure Ukrainian sovereignty and predicted future German governments would prioritize defense spending despite constitutional debt limits.
The German Chancellor also took a firm stance against far-right extremism, reiterating Germany's commitment to democracy. Scholz stated:
“Germany is a very strong democracy, and as a strong democracy, we are absolutely clear that the extreme right should be out of political control and out of political decision-making processes, and that there will be no cooperation with them.”
U.S. Vice President Vance expressed concern over the state of democracy in Europe, fearing that free speech is increasingly under threat. Vance remarked:
“What I worry about is the threat from within.”
He further emphasized that democracy's survival depends on acknowledging and addressing citizens' concerns:
“Democracy will not survive if their people’s concerns are deemed invalid or even worse not worth being considered.”
Vance also highlighted the importance of U.S. involvement in supporting Ukraine, a sentiment echoed by Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya who stated:
“By helping Ukraine, you’re helping the whole region.”
The conference also witnessed discussions on former U.S. President Donald Trump's push for a negotiated peace agreement to end Russia's invasion. However, skepticism lingered around Putin's true intentions, as voiced by Alexei Navalny's widow Yulia Navalnaya:
“If he remains in power, he will find a way to break the agreement. If he loses power, the agreement will become meaningless.”
In an interview with NBC's Meet the Press, Zelenskyy reiterated his concerns regarding Putin's motives:
“We will never accept deals reached behind our backs, without our involvement.”
The Munich Security Conference thus became a focal point for global leaders to deliberate the future of Ukraine and broader European stability. The discussions underscored the complexities of negotiating peace amid ongoing hostilities and the necessity of international cooperation to uphold democratic values.