The Munich Security Conference has kicked off in Germany, becoming one of the most important global platforms for discussing international challenges. Despite Russia’s official absence from the event, the Ukraine issue remains central. Delegations from the US, EU, and Ukraine are actively discussing ways to resolve the war, new sanctions against the Kremlin, and the prospects of Ukraine joining NATO.
The US Pushes for Talks Between Ukraine and Russia
Ahead of the conference, former US President Donald Trump’s special representative, Keith Kellogg, stated that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin should hold direct talks. According to him, the Kremlin’s claims about Zelensky’s “illegitimacy” are ineffective, and Russia will be forced to recognize him as a dialogue participant.
Kellogg also dismissed rumors that Trump was seeking to strike an agreement solely with Russia, stressing that no deal would be possible without Ukraine.
At the same time, organizers of the Munich Security Conference confirmed that the Russian delegation was not accredited this year. Conference chairman Christoph Heusgen emphasized that no representatives of the Russian government were invited, and the German government had not issued them the necessary visas.
Ukraine Strengthens Its Partnership with the West
US Vice President J. D. Vance, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, European Council President António Costa, and Trump’s special representative Keith Kellogg have already arrived in Munich. Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umierov is attending the conference on behalf of Ukraine.
A particular focus is on Ukraine’s collaboration with the EU in the area of mining. In an interview with Politico, Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal emphasized that Ukraine controls 22 of the 30 critical raw materials for the EU, including Europe’s largest uranium and lithium reserves. Kyiv is offering the EU a joint development of mining projects that would help reduce the EU’s dependency on Russian and Chinese raw materials.
Zelensky: The US Lacks a Clear Plan to End the War
President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that during his talks with Donald Trump, he did not see a clear US plan for ending the war. According to him, both sides discussed military losses, but Ukrainian and American assessments differed significantly.
He also mentioned that the US and Trump are not prepared to discuss Ukraine’s NATO membership, as it could provoke escalation from Russia. If Ukraine does not become a NATO member, it will need an army of 1.5 million soldiers to deter Russian aggression.
Additionally, Zelensky revealed that, according to Ukrainian intelligence, Russia is deploying between 2,000 and 3,000 North Korean soldiers to the Kursk region. This indicates significant Russian losses and their reliance on external allies.
Ukraine Prepares for New Diplomatic Initiatives
President Zelensky announced official visits to Saudi Arabia and Turkey, where the issue of prisoner exchanges will be discussed. However, he made it clear that no meetings with Russian or US representatives are planned.
The Ukrainian leader also noted that the US withdrawal from the conflict is part of Putin’s strategy, as a rift between America and Europe could weaken support for Kyiv. However, Europe is already fully aware of the threat posed by the Kremlin’s aggressive policies and will continue to actively support Ukraine.
Read also: The Kursk Operation: Breaking Myths About Putin’s “Red Lines”.