Status: 02/19/2022 05:02 p.m
At the security conference, the Ukrainian President Selenskyj addressed clear words to the EU and NATO. Ukraine cannot permanently serve as a shield against Russia. He called for more support – and an honest statement about joining NATO.
The Ukrainian President was received with standing ovations at the Munich Security Conference. But the man, at whose borders an estimated 150,000 Russian soldiers have been massed in recent weeks, was not impressed for long. He symbolically passed the applause on to his own armed forces – and urged the heads of state and government present to give Ukraine more support.
tagesschau live: Speech by the Ukrainian President Selenskyj
2/19/2022 4:19 p.m
The world community is facing the greatest security crisis since the end of the Second World War. “150,000 heavily armed forces” are on the border with Ukraine, “and we will forget here”. The security architecture no longer works. The United Nations Charter is being violated by one of its Security Council members, he said, referring to Russia as one of the five permanent members of the UN’s highest body. A new security architecture must now be set up before there are “millions of dead”. Not only Ukraine needs peace – the world needs peace.
Ukraine longs for peace, Europe longs for peace. The world says it doesn’t want war, while Russia says it doesn’t want to intervene: someone is lying here.
Shield against one of the largest armed forces in the world
The annexation of Crimea in 2014 was a slap in the face to the entire world, the President continued. His country has been acting as a shield against one of the largest armed forces for eight years. The Ukrainian soldiers would continue to protect their country – “with or without our partners”. “We will defend our borders no matter how many forces oppose us, with or without support.”
Clear NATO perspective required
Zelenskyj thanked the EU and NATO for their support, but demanded clear statements from NATO in particular regarding accession. There was no lack of the much-cited open door, but rather open, honest answers as to whether Ukraine could become a member at all. But nobody should think that Ukraine will remain a permanent buffer between the West and Russia.
The Ukrainian President stressed that he felt committed to the Minsk Agreement and was striving for a diplomatic solution. He also denied that there had been shelling from Ukraine on Russian territory. “That’s a lie,” he said of related reports. “We will not react to provocations,” he announces at the same time. The risk of war is great, but there will be no panic.
Quick return to Kiev
Zelenskyj’s visit to Munich had previously caused astonishment among some Western partners. US President Joe Biden said on Friday that given the risk of Zelenskyy invading, it “may not be the wisest decision” to attend the security conference. “But it’s his choice,” Biden added.
Selenskyj met with Chancellor Olaf Scholz and US Vice President Kamala Harris on the sidelines of the conference. He expects “concrete agreements on the provision of additional military and financial support for our country,” his office said. Selenskyj will return to Kiev late Saturday evening.