Europe Must Have a Seat at the Table
Speaking at the Munich Security Conference, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy criticized the limited role of European leaders in U.S.-led negotiations with Russia. He said leaving Europe mostly absent is a “big mistake” and stressed that any lasting peace must address the security needs of the entire continent, not just Ukraine and Washington.
Zelenskyy highlighted upcoming trilateral talks with the U.S. and Russia, noting that progress toward a ceasefire has been slow. He expressed frustration that the parties often seem “to be talking about completely different things” and warned that focusing solely on Ukraine’s concessions risks rewarding Russian aggression.
Security Guarantees and EU Membership
Kyiv maintains that strong, enforceable security guarantees are essential for any peace agreement. Zelenskyy said European nations would bear much of the responsibility, but U.S. backing is critical. He confirmed that Ukraine has detailed proposals ready and is prepared to formalize agreements with both European and American partners.
On European integration, Zelenskyy suggested a formal EU accession date could be part of a peace deal, potentially as early as 2027. Regarding elections, he stressed that voting can only happen under a genuine ceasefire, pointing out the difficulties of soldiers on the front lines casting ballots. In a pointed remark, he said he would welcome a similar ceasefire in Russia to allow free elections there.
Targeting Russia’s Oil Revenues
Zelenskyy called for stronger action to cut off Russia’s energy income, which continues to fund the war. He said Moscow still relies on a fleet of more than 1,000 tankers near European waters, describing them as “floating wallets for the Kremlin.”
He urged partners to detain, block, or confiscate vessels bypassing sanctions and noted recent discussions with Emmanuel Macron and Ursula von der Leyen. Zelenskyy warned, “Without oil money, Putin would not have money for this war.”
