President Volodymyr Zelensky's speech on the second day of the Munich Safety Convention on Feb. 15 was met with a number of rounds of applause.
The Ukrainian president referred to as for the creation of an "military of Europe" and emphasised the adjustments in relations between Europe and the U.S. throughout Donald Trump's second presidential time period.
Zelensky additionally mentioned that it will be doable to cease Russia's battle and Russian President Vladimir Putin if Europe is united.
Zelensky's speech comes after Trump's name with Putin, wherein they mentioned a peace deal for Ukraine with out first consulting with Kyiv. Trump made it clear that he doesn't see Ukraine as an equal social gathering within the negotiations, whereas Europe may not be invited to the desk in any respect.
In response to latest statements from Trump's staff saying that Ukraine's future in NATO is unrealistic, Zelensky mentioned that Ukraine's accession to NATO "shouldn’t be off the desk."
The Kyiv Unbiased has picked out 5 key quotes from Zelensky's speech on the Munich Safety Convention.
Military of Europe
"Let's be trustworthy — now we will't rule out the likelihood that America may say 'no' to Europe on points that threaten it.
Many leaders have talked a couple of Europe that wants its personal navy — an Military of Europe. I imagine that the time has come. The Armed Forces of Europe should be created.
This isn’t more durable than standing agency in opposition to Russian assaults — as now we have already carried out. However this isn't nearly growing protection spending as a GDP ratio. Cash is required, sure — however cash alone gained’t cease an enemy assault."
US-Europe relationship
"Does America want Europe? As a market, sure. However as an ally? For the reply to be 'sure,' Europe wants a single voice — not a dozen completely different ones.
A number of days in the past, President Trump advised me about his dialog with Putin. Not as soon as did he point out that America wants Europe at that desk. That claims quite a bit. The previous days are over — when America supported Europe simply because it all the time had.
However President Trump as soon as mentioned: What issues shouldn’t be the household you have been born into, however the one you construct. We should construct the closest doable relationship with America, and — sure, a brand new relationship — however as Europeans, not simply as separate nations.
That's why we’d like a unified overseas coverage, a coordinated diplomacy, the overseas coverage of a typical Europe."
"Europe has every little thing it takes. Europe simply wants to come back collectively and begin performing in a means that nobody can say 'no' to Europe, boss it round, or deal with it like a pushover."
"Ukraine won’t ever settle for offers made behind our backs with out our involvement. And the identical rule ought to apply to all of Europe. No selections about Ukraine with out Ukraine. No selections about Europe with out Europe."
The Kyiv IndependentChris York
Feb. 24 summit
"Have a look at what Putin is making an attempt to do. That is his recreation. Putin desires one-on-one talks with America — similar to earlier than the battle, once they met in Switzerland and appeared how you can carve up the world.
Subsequent, Putin will attempt to get the U.S. President to face on Crimson Sq. on Could ninth — this yr — not as a revered chief, however as a prop in his efficiency. We don't want that."
"We’re already working to make sure that on Feb. 24, the third anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion, we will collect collectively in Kyiv and on-line. All European leaders. All key companions who defend our safety. From Spain to Finland. From Britain to Poland. From Washington to Tokyo.
This assembly should ship a transparent imaginative and prescient for our subsequent steps on peace, safety ensures, and the way forward for our collective coverage."
NATO shouldn't be off the desk for Ukraine
"I additionally is not going to take NATO membership for Ukraine off the desk. However proper now, essentially the most influential member of NATO appears to be Putin as a result of his whims have the ability to dam NATO selections. And that's even supposing it was Ukraine's military that stopped Russia — not a NATO nation, not NATO troops, however solely our individuals and armed forces.
I’m happy with Ukraine. I’m happy with our individuals. However now, I ask you — every of you — to actually reply this query: If Russia got here for you, may your military combat the identical means? I don't need anybody to ever have to search out out — God forbid.
That's why we’re speaking about safety ensures. And that's why we imagine that the core of any safety ensures for Ukraine should be NATO membership. Or – if not that – then situations that enable us to construct one other NATO proper right here in Ukraine."
Strain on Russia
"We should apply strain collectively to make actual peace. Putin can not provide actual safety ensures. Not simply because he’s a pathological liar however as a result of Russia, in its present state, wants battle to carry energy collectively. And the world should be protected against that.
So, first, the Armed Forces of Europe as an improve to NATO. Second, a typical European overseas coverage. Third, the extent of European cooperation that Washington has to take critically. Fourth, worldwide regulation. And fifth, holding all strain on Russia as a result of that strain is what ensures peace, not Putin's phrases, not just a few papers.
Putin lies. He’s predictable. And he’s weak. We should use that — now, not later."
The Kyiv IndependentThe Kyiv Independent