Volodymyr Zelensky, who is taking part in the annual Munich Security Conference, called for abandoning Vladimir Putin’s policy of “appeasement” towards Russia, which he took to Crimea. Ukraine is “the shield of Europe,” he said.
The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, requested a calendar from Munich on Saturday “clear and doable” for your country’s accession to NATO.
This, in the midst of fear of a Russian invasion and the worsening of the situation in the east of the country. Not surprisingly, the Ukrainian army reports two soldiers killed in attacks by pro-Russian separatists.
Western countries must “support Ukraine and its defense capabilities” and establish “a clear and feasible timetable” for joining the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), Zelensky told the Munich Security Conference (MSC).
Ukraine is “the coat of arms of Europe” against the Russian army, he noted. “It is said that the doors of NATO are open. That is very good, but there are no concrete steps,” Zelensky said.
“We appreciate any help, but everyone must understand that it is not charitable contributions that Ukraine asks for. It is your contribution to the security of Europe and the world, where Ukraine has been the shield for eight years,” he added.
This, in reference to the outbreak of the conflict with the pro-Russian separatists in the east of the country and the Russia’s annexation of the Crimean peninsula in 2014.
“I don’t know what the Russian president wants, that’s why I propose that we meet,” said Zelensky, who also called for a meeting of the UN Security Council in view of the military escalation around Ukraine.
“In the coming weeks it is necessary to seek new security guarantees for Ukraine with the countries of the Security Council and with the participation of Europe, Germany and Turkey”, he claimed.
Eventual accession of Ukraine to NATO
Zelensky asked if the international community has learned any lessons from two world wars and urged urgent action to repair system failures before a third begins.
“The security architecture is broken, maybe it’s too late to fix it. We need a new security architecture.” said.
“A few years ago Vladimir Putin challenged the world order with a speech at this conference. The world reacted with appeasement. Appeasement led to the invasion of Crimea.” said.
Earlier, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz had said that Ukraine’s entry into NATO it was not on the agenda and that it was therefore absurd for Russia to turn the issue into a cause for war.
“If we respond to a provocation the danger would be even greater. But we are ready to defend ourselves.” said.
The Ukrainian army said on Saturday that two of its soldiers were killed in attacks by pro-Russian separatists in the east.
They are the first casualties in more than a month and come at a time of extreme tension due to fears of a imminent Russian invasion of the former Soviet republic.