Dhe Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was greeted with a standing ovation at the Munich Security Conference on Saturday. February 24, 2022 “might have been the end of the world as we know it,” said Zelensky, referring to the start of the Russian war of aggression almost two years ago. Ukraine’s resistance together with its partners once morest Russia “prevented the destruction of the rules-based world.” The threat of war goes beyond Ukraine. “How long will the world allow Russia to act like this?” Zelensky asked the around 50 heads of state and government present in Munich.
In 2024, Zelensky expects “a reaction from everyone – worldwide.” If states do not act now, “Putin will turn the world into a catastrophe.” His country has stood firm once morest Russian aggression for a long time, “724 days in fact”. Ukraine has “destroyed” the Russian myth that Ukraine is not a country. Also the myth that Russian weapons are superior to Western weapons: In reality, Russia is worse off. Russian missiles might have been defended once morest with Western systems. And Ukrainian grain exports are also possible once more.
Zelensky: “Putin is a monster”
After the “murder” of Alexei Navalny, it would be absurd to “see Putin as the legitimate leader of his country any longer,” emphasized the Ukrainian president. Putin came to power through corruption and violence. There are only two options for his future: either he ends up before the International Court of Justice in The Hague or one of his “accomplices” murders him.
“We must not be afraid of defeating Putin,” Zelensky appealed to the international community. “Putin is a monster.” Yesterday he tried to send a message to the Munich Security Conference: “He murdered an opposition politician.” All gaps in the sanctions once morest Russia must be closed – no sector of the Russian economy should be excluded. It was Putin’s “fate” to lose.
When asked regarding the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from the city of Avdiivka in eastern Ukraine, Zelensky spoke of a “professional decision”. Russia gained nothing by taking the city. For two years, Russia tried to make progress in eastern Ukraine but “just brought destruction,” the Ukrainian president said. During the capture of the city, seven Russians died for every Ukrainian soldier killed.
Zelensky particularly emphasized the need for air defense and long-range weapon systems. Where Ukraine used its limited air defense capabilities, the Russians withdrew. “In these regions, people have been able to return and rebuild the economy,” he said. However, the lack of appropriate air defense systems forces Ukraine to prioritize.
Zelenskyj asks for aid package
The Ukrainian president, who answered questions in Ukrainian following his speech, addressed the audience in English to talk regarding the multibillion-dollar aid package for Ukraine currently stuck in the US Senate. America has “done a lot and I thank them for it from the bottom of my heart,” said Zelensky. “But we have to act as a team.” If Ukraine is left alone, Russia will not only destroy its country, but also the Baltics and Poland. “They are capable of this,” he warned.
#Scholz #Zelenskyj #open #security #conference
