Addressing the Munich Security Conference on Sunday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky delivered a scathing rebuke of Vladimir Putin as the Russian invasion nears its fourth anniversary. Zelensky labeled the Russian leader a “slave to war” and warned the international community against repeating the historical mistakes of the 1938 Munich Agreement.
The speech comes at a critical juncture, as the conflict enters its fifth year this February, with Ukraine’s energy infrastructure decimated and millions of citizens facing another winter of power shortages.
Key Highlights from Zelensky’s Address
- Total Energy Damage: Zelensky revealed the staggering scale of Russian strikes, stating, “Not a single power plant” remains undamaged in Ukraine. However, he praised the resilience of workers who continue to generate electricity despite the destruction.
- The 1938 Parallel: Zelensky explicitly compared current pressure for territorial concessions to the 1938 Munich Agreement that sacrificed Czechoslovakia to Hitler. He warned that “dividing Ukraine” is an illusion that would fail to prevent a larger war.
- Call for Air Defenses: Highlighting the evolution of Iranian-designed Shahed drones, Zelensky urged Western allies to accelerate political decisions, noting that “weapons evolve faster than the politics meant to stop them.”
Upcoming Diplomatic Efforts
The conference set the stage for high-stakes diplomacy scheduled for the coming weeks:
| Event | Location | Purpose |
| Geneva Summit | Switzerland | US-brokered talks between Russia and Ukraine (Next Week) |
| Security Meeting | Munich | Sideline talks with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio |
| Bilateral Talks | Geneva | Continuation of previous rounds held in Abu Dhabi |
Conditions for Elections
Addressing domestic concerns, Zelensky clarified that national elections in Ukraine would be held only after two specific conditions are met:
- A formal ceasefire is agreed upon and implemented.
- Robust security guarantees are provided to ensure a stable democratic process.