Ukrainian President in Kiev (archive from Archyde.com)
Russia and Ukraine
The Ukrainian President stressed, Volodymyr ZelenskyHowever, the delay in sending weapons to his country is a big mistake.
“We need to speed up the delivery of weapons to Ukraine, and there is no alternative,” Zelensky said in a video address to the Munich Security Conference in Germany, Friday, adding that “Ukraine needs combat aircraft as soon as possible.”
“no bargain”
He also added that the Kremlin brought destruction to Europe, stressing that Ukraine should be a member of the European Union and NATO.
He also continued: “There is no compromise on liberating all of Ukraine’s lands from Russian occupation,” as he put it, pointing out that he is confident in his country’s ability to “achieve victory once morest (Russian President Vladimir) Putin and his supporters.”
“a united europe”
For his part, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said, “Putin will not succeed and Ukraine will win,” stressing that “Europe is united now more than ever.”
Schultz told the conference: “We provide Ukraine with the latest weapons and ammunition and we are continuing to do so.”
German Chancellor at the Munich Security Conference (AFP)
He also continued, “We seek to avoid a war between Russia and NATO,” pointing out: “We will strengthen NATO’s rapid deterrence force and defense spending.”
He also added, “We will train Ukrainian soldiers in Germany,” explaining that Germany does not prefer to proceed with unilateral measures regarding the war in Ukraine.
“I lost the bet”
In turn, French President Emmanuel Macron stressed that “the war in Ukraine is catastrophic, and we must focus on ways to end it.”
“Russia has violated the charters of the United Nations and the Security Council by its war once morest Ukraine,” Macron told the conference, adding that “Moscow bears responsibility for the negative repercussions of its war in Ukraine.”
The French President at the Munich Security Conference (AFP)
He also continued: “Russia failed to legitimize its war once morest Ukraine, and lost the bet on subjugating Ukraine in a short period.”
In addition, he considered that “the Wagner group turned into an official force following the failure of the Russian army to make gains.”
“The hour for dialogue has not come yet.”
Macron stressed that “the hour for dialogue with Russia has not yet come due to Putin’s adherence to the option of war,” pointing out that Moscow met calls for dialogue by targeting Ukrainian infrastructure.
He also added that France is helping to strengthen the defenses of NATO’s eastern flank.
“Unity and determination”
He also made it clear that “unity and determination are two important factors for Europe to defeat Russia,” stressing that “Ukraine must be supported to carry out a counter-attack that will support it in the negotiations.”
He also announced that Europe needs a joint defense programme, saying: “I support the tendency to support air defenses in Europe,” adding: “We have to strengthen the nuclear deterrence force in Europe.”
affect world security
Before the start of the conference, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg announced that the war in Ukraine affects the security of the world, not just the continent.
He also said that Russia is suffering from heavy losses on the ground, while stressing: “We will continue to provide advanced air defense systems to Ukraine.”
A week before the anniversary of February 24, 2022
The conference comes a week before the anniversary of February 24, 2022, when Russia launched its military operation in Ukraine.
Western countries supporting Ukraine, led by the United States, have previously provided large quantities of weapons to Kiev and pledged to send additional shipments, including heavy tanks that Kiev demands to counter the Russian attack.
Berlin’s recent decision to allow German-made Leopard tanks to be sent to Ukraine, following weeks of hesitation, also gave Kiev hope to obtain more weapons in the future.
