Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy spoke on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference. He commented on a number of important topics, including peace negotiations, ending the war in Ukraine, the imperial ambitions of Russian dictator Vladimir Putin, and the need to strengthen air defense. ICTV Facts compiled the main points of Volodymyr Zelenskyy from his speech in Munich on February 14, as reported by the portal PromPolitInform.
Zelenskyy on the need for air defense
“Empty-handed air defense units is the worst report a country’s leader can hear during a war,” Zelenskyy said, describing the acute shortage of air defense assets.
The president explained that due to Russia’s constant terror, new supplies of air defense missiles are sometimes delivered only immediately before a strike. According to him, the scale of the threat posed by Russia is confirmed by January statistics: more than 6,000 drones and hundreds of missiles, which deplete Ukrainian defenses every month.
At the same time, the president thanked Germany, Norway, and the Netherlands for the air defense systems that protect lives.
Zelenskyy on strikes on the energy sector
Zelenskyy reported that not a single power plant in Ukraine has been undamaged by Russian attacks.
Despite the extensive destruction, the country continues to generate electricity, which, according to the president, was made possible solely by the resilience and professionalism of Ukrainians.
Zelenskyy on weapons for Ukraine
Volodymyr Zelenskyy sharply criticized Western partners for delaying the delivery of critical weapons.
The president recalled that Ukraine waited months for HIMARS systems and tanks, and it took years to receive aircraft. He emphasized that in a war-torn country, time is only on the side of the war itself. Ukraine has unique experience in defending against drones, repelling attacks by hundreds of Shaheds every night, Zelenskyy stated in Munich. The president noted that Ukrainian forces shoot down approximately 90% of their targets, but called on partners to strengthen joint production of interceptors.
“We will reach a point where the Shahed is an insignificant factor for Russia. But the key word here is ‘together with our partners,'” the head of state emphasized, adding that today no European country is capable of defending itself from war solely at its own expense.
Zelenskyy on elections in Russia
During the Munich Conference, Zelenskyy outlined the conditions under which Ukraine would be willing to agree to a ceasefire and hold elections.
He suggested that, provided US President Donald Trump pressures the Kremlin and ensures a ceasefire on the frontline, the Ukrainian parliament could amend legislation to allow for voting.
“If the Americans and Russians need elections in Ukraine, we are open to that. But we can also declare a ceasefire to the Russians if they hold elections in Russia,” Zelenskyy emphasized. According to the Ukrainian President, Russian dictator Vladimir Putin is a slave to war. He noted that if the Kremlin leader lives another 10 years, the war could return or expand.
Zelenskyy on Iran and Defense Production
During his speech in Munich, Zelenskyy called on the international community to immediately isolate the Iranian regime, as their kamikaze drones are killing Ukrainians daily.
At the same time, the president noted successes in defense cooperation, highlighting the effectiveness of the Danish investment model and joint projects with Germany and the Czech Republic.
At the same time, Zelenskyy emphasized the importance of financial support, noting that Europe will accumulate €90 billion over the next two years to strengthen common security.
On Russia’s Shadow Fleet and Losses
Volodymyr Zelenskyy called on the international community to take radical steps against Russia’s energy sector, emphasizing the need to completely eliminate the Kremlin’s shadow fleet. According to the president, more than 1,000 tankers generate revenue for Russia daily, which is the main resource for waging aggression.
“Without oil money, Putin wouldn’t have the money for this war,” Zelenskyy emphasized.
The Ukrainian president cited enemy casualty statistics: according to his data, Russia pays with the lives of 156 of its servicemen for just 1 km of Ukrainian land.
Zelenskyy on the Ukrainian Armed Forces and strikes on Russian oil refineries
During his speech in Munich, Zelenskyy stated that the Ukrainian Armed Forces are the strongest army in Europe, which should be part of NATO, not remain outside it out of fear of the Kremlin.
The president emphasized that the only language Russia understands is force.
According to him, the aggressor only began to consider diplomatic options when it sensed a threat to its energy infrastructure and began striking oil refineries, and also heard about the possibility of Ukraine receiving Tomahawk missiles.
Zelenskyy on security guarantees and negotiations
Zelenskyy stated that the signing of agreements on security guarantees should precede any agreement to end the war.
“The question of concessions is often raised only in relation to Ukraine, but what concessions should Russia make?” he asked.
During his speech in Munich, the president also called Europe’s absence from the international negotiating table a major mistake, criticizing his partners’ approach to peace negotiations.
