Europe Must Have a Seat at the Table
Speaking at the Munich Security Conference, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called Europe’s absence from U.S.-led peace talks with Russia a “big mistake.” He stressed that any durable resolution must address the security needs of the entire continent, not just Ukraine and the United States.
Zelenskyy highlighted upcoming trilateral negotiations with Russia and the U.S., noting that progress toward a ceasefire has been slow. He voiced frustration that discussions often focus on completely different priorities and criticized the repeated emphasis on Ukraine making concessions while Russia faces little accountability.
Security Guarantees and EU Accession
Kyiv continues to demand binding security guarantees as a foundation for peace. Zelenskyy said that without a clear, enforceable framework, any agreement would be fragile. European nations are expected to shoulder much of the responsibility, with U.S. support serving as a critical backstop. He confirmed that Ukraine has ready proposals and is prepared to formalize agreements with both European and American partners.
Zelenskyy also suggested that a formal accession date for European Union membership could be included in a settlement, possibly as early as 2027. On elections, he said Ukraine could hold them only under a genuine ceasefire, emphasizing the challenge of allowing soldiers on the front lines to vote. He added that he would welcome a similar ceasefire in Russia to permit free elections there.
Choking Off Russia’s Energy Funds
Zelenskyy urged stronger measures to stop Moscow from using oil revenues to fund its military. Despite sanctions, Russia still moves oil via a fleet of more than 1,000 tankers near European waters, which he described as “floating wallets for the Kremlin.”
He called for stricter enforcement, including detaining, blocking, or confiscating vessels that bypass sanctions. Zelenskyy said he recently discussed these steps with Emmanuel Macron and Ursula von der Leyen, warning that without oil revenue, Russia would struggle to sustain its war effort. “Without oil money,” he said, “Putin would not have money for this war.”
