The Munich Security Conference is in full swing. The Russian war of aggression in Ukraine is central to this. These were the most important speakers so far:
Zelenskyj speaks clearly
Shortly before the second anniversary of Russia’s war of aggression, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called for more long-range weapons. “Long-range weapons do not exist. Russia has them, we have very few. That’s the whole truth. That is why our most important weapons are precisely our fighters», he said on Saturday at the Munich Security Conference. Ukraine’s actions are currently limited only by a lack of financial resources.
Zelenskyj spoke immediately after German Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s appearance. However, while Scholz tried to be confident in his speech and spoke of a “silver lining” on the horizon, Zelensky warned of the incalculable consequences due to the “shortage of artificial weapons” and “self-weakening.”
‘2024 expects a response from all of us’ Zelensky said, according to the official translation. Ukraine has now resisted the Russian threat for 724 days. “Our resistance has prevented the destruction of the rules-based world.” With a view to a future without war, Russia must be a thing of the past because the country does not follow the rules. The international community can still achieve this “if we do everything we can”. But the question is: “how long will the world allow Russia to continue behaving like this?”
Security agreement with Germany and France
Zelensky thanked the security agreements signed with Germany and France on Friday, which promise long-term support and further arms supplies. But he also urgently warned of the consequences of the war: the longer it lasts, the greater the risk of expansion and further damage to the international order.
‘If we don’t act now, Putin will manage to turn the coming years into a catastrophe’ said Zelensky, who also warned of dangers for other European countries in his speech:
New US aid for Ukraine “vital”
After meeting with US Vice President Kamala Harris on the sidelines of the conference, Zelensky urged the US House of Representatives to release military aid to Ukraine, which had been blocked for weeks: “We are counting very much on the positive act of Congress. This package is crucial for us.” But he doesn’t think “our strategic partner can afford not to support Ukraine.”
For Russian President Vladimir Putin, Zelensky sees only two options: An indictment at the International Criminal Court or death. “Putin is a monster.”
Scholz calls for NATO cohesion and fights Trump
In his speech, Scholz had previously warned against weakening the will for common defense in NATO in the face of the Russian threat. “Let me also make it clear: any downplaying of NATO’s assistance guarantee will only benefit those who – like Putin – want to weaken us.” he said.
Scholz was clearly responding to statements by promising Republican American presidential candidate Donald Trump, who had made it clear during a campaign appearance that he would not provide American support to allies with low defense spending in the event of a Russian attack. Zelensky, for his part, emphasized that he had already invited Trump to Ukraine:
Addressing critics of defense spending in Germany, Scholz explained: “We miss the money we spend on our security now and in the future. We feel that. But I also say: without safety, everything else is nothing.”
Scholz therefore also called on EU partners to provide more financial assistance to Ukraine. Germany has almost doubled its military aid to more than seven billion euros, with pledges for another six billion euros. He would very much like to see “similar decisions taken in all EU capitals”. Europeans must pay more attention to their security – “now and in the future”.
Scholz dodges the question about Taurus cruise missiles
The Chancellor emphasized that German support for Kiev was “broad and extensive, but above all for the long term.” However, Scholz avoided asking whether Germany could still supply Taurus cruise missiles to Ukraine in an interview after his speech. Ukraine had already officially requested missiles with a range of 500 kilometers and high accuracy last May. In October, Scholz said Germany would not supply them for the time being. The fear behind this is that the cruise missiles could hit Russian territory.
“Russia has been preparing its army for this war for many years and has developed new, dangerous weapon systems at all levels. The Russian economy has been in war mode for a long time,” Scholz said. Putin is sending more and more soldiers to the front. Everyone must ask themselves whether enough is being done. “More than ever, we must ensure that our deterrence meets modern requirements.”
Von der Leyen supports idea for European defense commissioner
For European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen (CDU), the new European security architecture also includes the appointment of a European Defense Commissioner. If she remained President of the Commission, she would appoint a Commissioner for Defense, she said. The idea of setting up the new post has already been supported by other politicians in recent days.
Foreign Minister Wang Yi presents China as moderator for peace
At the conference, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi again called for a diplomatic solution to the war in Ukraine. China is working to pave the way for peace talks, prevent a vicious circle and stabilize the situation, he said, according to the translation. The security interests of both countries must be recognized. Wang Yi again avoided condemning the Russian attack.
(paint/saw/sda/dpa)
Soource :Watson
I am Amelia James, a passionate journalist with a deep-rooted interest in current affairs. I have more than five years of experience in the media industry, working both as an author and editor for 24 Instant News. My main focus lies in international news, particularly regional conflicts and political issues around the world.
