The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, said today in Munich that the scale of Russian attacks demonstrates the magnitude of the challenges his country is facing, and he called on allies for stronger and faster support, warning that security risks are deepening as the war continues.
Speaking at the Munich Security Conference, Zelenskyy urged leaders to ask themselves whether they are prepared not only for the challenges of “Russian aggression and modern warfare, but also for constant efforts to convince the world to support the defense of its own country every single day,” The Guardian reports.
Zelenskyy emphasized that in January alone, Ukraine was forced to defend itself against around 6,000 assault drones, more than 150 missiles of various types, and thousands of guided bombs.
“Imagine that above your city – shattered streets, destroyed homes, schools underground. And that is every month. That is daily life in Ukraine because of Russia,” he said, pointing to the severe blow dealt to the country’s energy infrastructure.
Zelenskyy assessed that the unity of allies is “the best interceptor of Russia’s aggressive plans,” thanking a number of countries for military and financial assistance, including Germany, Denmark, Czech Republic, the Nordic countries, the United Kingdom, France, the Netherlands, Italy, Poland, the United States, Canada, Turkey, and Japan.
He also stated that Russia has support, including from North Korea and certain Chinese companies which, he claims, supply components for Russian weapons.
Speaking about the development of “Shahed”-type unmanned aerial vehicles, Zelenskyy warned that technology and tactics are changing and improving, and that the longer the war lasts, the more dangerous the consequences become.
“Anyone seeking security and peace must understand that every day matters,” Zelenskyy said, expressing frustration over the slow delivery of certain air defense systems.
Regarding Iran, Zelenskyy stated that the Iranian regime must be “stopped immediately.”
He said that Ukraine has no border with Iran nor a conflict with the Iranian regime, but stressed that they “continue to sell drones to Russia that kill Ukrainians.”
“The Iranian regime has already done, and still can do, more damage than many other regimes have been able to do in this century. They must be stopped immediately,” he said.
At the end, he specifically thanked Germany, Norway, and the Netherlands for their support in strengthening Ukraine’s air defense, emphasizing that for a leader, it is hardest to hear that air defense units have run out of ammunition while Russian attacks are ongoing.
Only America Can Stop Putin, but the White House Is Sending the Wrong Signals
American pressure is key to ending Vladimir Putin’s war in Ukraine, Zelenskyy said earlier in Munich in an interview with the Brussels-based portal Politico. Without that pressure, he said, the Russian president is unlikely to make the necessary compromises for peace.
“He will refuse. Today one reason, tomorrow another, and so on. We need pressure on him. Real pressure, and Putin will stop this war if he is under real pressure,” Zelenskyy stressed.
In his view, only the United States has the power to force Russia into peace.
“Let’s be honest, today only Ukraine is defending Europe. Today, only Europe is giving money to Ukraine and helping Ukraine. Today, only the United States of America can stop Putin,” Zelenskyy emphasized.
The President of Ukraine, however, is concerned that the White House may be missing the point.
“What I see is that they are sending more signals that Ukraine must make compromises, not Russia. I think that is not the right position. Of course, it is easier,” Zelenskyy said.
He also noted that Vladimir Putin, now 73 years old, “is not young anymore.”
“He doesn’t have much time. May God not give him too much time,” Zelenskyy joked, Tanjug reports.
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Source: Politika, Foto: EPA