On February 14, 2025, the 61st Munich Security Conference commenced in Germany, bringing together 60 heads of state and government leaders. The central theme of this year’s forum was Russia’s war against Ukraine. The Ukrainian delegation at the event was led by President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who delivered a keynote address on global security challenges, particularly the Russian threat to Europe, on the conference’s second day. His speech emphasized the necessity of Western unity in the face of Russian aggression and the creation of joint defense initiatives, including strengthening European security.
The President of Ukraine underscored that Russia continues its large-scale military buildup—by 2025, Russia plans to establish 15 new divisions, totaling 150,000 troops. This number surpasses the size of the national armies of most European countries. Furthermore, according to Ukrainian intelligence, Russia is planning to redeploy its troops to Belarus this summer under the pretext of military exercises, a maneuver reminiscent of its preparations for the full-scale invasion in 2022. President Zelenskyy highlighted that this poses a threat not only to Ukraine but also to NATO member states, as Belarus has already become a staging ground for Russian military operations. Drawing a parallel to the occupation of Crimea, he reminded the audience that in 2014, Russian forces, without identification insignia, infiltrated the Crimean Peninsula, marking the beginning of Russia’s war against Ukraine. Today, he warned, a similar threat looms over European NATO member states.
The Head of State reaffirmed that Ukraine would not accept any agreements made without its participation, stressing that this principle should apply to all of Europe. He called for establishing a unified, coordinated foreign policy to protect the interests of European nations.
“Ukraine will never agree to any deals made behind our backs without our participation. The same principle must apply to all of Europe. No decisions about Ukraine without Ukraine. No decisions about Europe without Europe. Europe must sit at the table when decisions about Europe are being made. Everything else is meaningless. If we remain excluded from negotiations about our future, we all lose. We need a single foreign policy—a coordinated diplomacy—a foreign policy for a united Europe. And let the end of this war be our first shared success in this new reality,” said the President of Ukraine.
Speaking with journalists at the Munich Security Conference, President Zelenskyy emphasized that the war is not taking place in the United States or the European Union—it is happening in Ukraine. Therefore, Ukraine must lead in determining who should be at the negotiating table.
President Zelenskyy clarified that he would never accept a peace agreement negotiated between the United States and Russia without Ukraine’s direct involvement.
“I will never accept any decisions made between the United States and Russia regarding Ukraine, never. This war is happening in Ukraine, against us, and it is our people who are suffering losses,” he stated firmly.
Zelenskyy underscored that Ukraine’s NATO accession must remain on the agenda and sharply criticized the Alliance’s de facto dependence on the Kremlin’s demands, pointing out that Putin is currently blocking NATO’s strategic decisions.
“We believe that NATO membership must be the foundation of any security guarantees for Ukraine. Or, if not that, then conditions that will allow us to build another NATO right here in Ukraine. Because, at some point, there will be a boundary between war and peace. Where that boundary is drawn and how strong it will depend on us. Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s proposal: the eastern border of Ukraine, the eastern border of Belarus, the eastern borders of the Baltic States, and the eastern border of Finland. This is the strongest security line for all of us in Europe because it is the line of international law,” stated the President of Ukraine.
He emphasized that no ceasefire should occur without security guarantees and robust deterrence mechanisms against Russia. Additionally, he asserted that Putin cannot provide absolute security assurances, as his regime relies on war for its survival.
“We cannot simply agree to a ceasefire without real security guarantees, pressure on Russia, or a system to contain Russia. Putin cannot offer real security guarantees. Not only because he is a liar but also because Russia, in its current state, needs war to maintain power. And the world must be protected from this,” emphasized Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Furthermore, in an interview with journalists, Zelenskyy reaffirmed that Ukraine will never recognize the occupation of its territories. He stressed that this remains a “red line” in any negotiations for Ukraine.
Over three days of the conference, the Ukrainian delegation held a series of meetings with senior officials from European countries and the United States.
The 2025 Munich Security Conference demonstrated that the West remains on Ukraine’s side, although some differences exist among countries regarding how to provide support. The Ukrainian delegation clearly stated its position: no negotiations concerning Ukraine should occur without Ukraine’s participation, and any future peace settlement must be just and should not include territorial concessions to Russia.