"The European Union is Ukraine's army", or 10 key messages of the Munich Security Conference 2023
What positions were expressed by the strongly committed delegates from the US and the EU, as well as peace-at-the-cost-of-concessions advocates: Serbia, Hungary and China
On February 17-19, about 40 leaders of states and governments, as well as generals and top diplomats from more than 100 countries, gathered in Munich for the largest security conference, which is unofficially called "military Davos."
This year, the forum's dominant topic was the ongoing hostilities in Ukraine. Britain called for doubling military aid to Kyiv, the United States threatened russia with an international tribunal for "crimes against humanity," and China promised to present its plan to resolve the conflict in the coming days.
Mind offers to learn about the most resonant statements made in Munich on February 17-19, 2023.
"President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, kicked off the Munich Security Conference 17–19 February 2023 with a cutting remark. He compared Ukraine to the Biblical hero David, russia – to Goliath, and military aid to Kyiv – to David's slingshot, that must become stronger, so that by the next Munich Security Conference in 2024 there will be no need for it”, he said.
"I am grateful to everyone who gives the Ukrainian David a sling, thanks to which the russian Goliath has already been shaken. Thank you. We saw it last year. And he will inevitably fall. This year! We can do it. All together, like David," Volodymyr Zelensky said.
Josep Borrell: "We Are the Ukrainian Army"
Josep Borrell, head of European diplomacy, spoke after Volodymyr Zelensky received a standing ovation at a conference in Munich. He said that Ukraine had already become a member of the European family and only needed to "institutionalise this decision." He called the European Union the Ukrainian Army because the victory over Russia was the existential goal of Western countries.
"We are Ukraine’s Army because this war is an existential challenge to our security. Ukraine receives enough weapons but has little ammunition. That's the problem. It is important that Zelensky is applauded less but supplied with ammunition," said Josep Borrell.
Rishi Sunak: "It's Time to Double Our Military Support"
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced that Britain would be the first country to provide Ukraine with long-range weaponry. He emphasised that Kyiv could use them to force russian forces out of occupied territories, including Crimea.
"Putin believes that the West has gotten tired of helping Ukraine, but that is not true. Now is the time to double our military support... we should not be afraid of depleting our western arsenals as they were created for war against russia," Rishi Sunak called out.
Jens Stoltenberg: Escalation Better Than russia's Military Success
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg dismissed fears that supplying arms to Ukraine would fuel the firefight. He expressed his opinion that escalation of armed conflict was less dangerous than russia's success in war if it achieved it with its current strength.
"Many ask whether military aid to Ukraine carries a risk of escalation. I can say: there are no risk-free options here. But putin's victory carries much higher risks," Jens Stoltenberg said.
Kamala Harris: russia Committed "Crimes Against Humanity" in Ukraine
The US Vice President Kamala Harris accused russian forces of wide-scale and systematic attacks on the civilian population of Ukraine, mentioning the massacre in Bucha and the airstrike on the theatre in Mariupol. She reported on collected evidence of executions, rape, torture, and forced deportations and warned about punishment.
"Their actions are an affront to our shared values, to our shared humanity. The United States officially determined that russia committed crimes against humanity. I say to those who perpetrated these crimes and their superiors: You will be held accountable," said Kamala Harris.
Emmanuel Macron: "Russia Must Be Defeated but Not Destroyed"
French President Emmanuel Macron expressed his view in Munich that "russia must not be allowed to win." At the same time, according to the BBC, the French leader stressed that unlike others he does not support the idea of a "complete destruction" of russia and does not wish for a change in regime there.
"I want russia to suffer defeats in Ukraine and I want Ukraine to defend itself. But I do not think, as some do, that we should aim for a complete defeat of russia by attacking it on its own soil. These observers want first and foremost to break up russia. That has never been nor can ever be France's position," said Emmanuel Macron journalists in Munich.
Olaf Scholz: "It Is Not Our Arms Supplies That Prolongs War"
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz who just recently at an economic forum in Davos argued against sending tanks into Ukraine now became critical towards partners for allowing arms deliveries to slow down. In his address he called for preparing for long-term fighting in Ukraine. Concerning the circumstances Germany intends to balance between maximum possible support for Ukraine but avoiding direct confrontation with NATO & russia.
"I understand that some people are concerned and question our decisions but I would like them to know – it is not our arms supplies that prolongs war but quite otherwise," said Olaf Scholz. According to him, by arming Ukraine West sends a signal to russia that "revisionism and imperialism won't pass through" and "the sooner Putin realises this – higher chances there are for swift ending of war."
Viktor Orban: EU Countries Are Drifting into the War Like a Sleepwalker
Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban criticised the bolstering of military aid for Kyiv as a mistake. He had a sharp rebuke for European countries that are blindly getting dragged into conflict and in the end could resort to deploying their soldiers into battle zones.
“It started with helmets ... now we are at sending tanks, and fighter jets are on the agenda, and soon we will hear about so-called peacekeeping troops.” said Viktor Orban triumphantly.
Aleksandar Vucić: “Peace Will Not Come Soon”
Serbia's President Aleksandar Vucić remarked that, judging from proceedings at the Munich Conference, politicians are not ready to take steps for ending war.
"It appears that peace will not come soon unless one side quickly wins, rather than it appearing as if one side should just quickly win. 2024 will bring five or six important elections around the world: American as the most important, russian, Ukrainian. How will Zelensky go to elections making tough compromises? Don't forget Taiwan's elections, European ones and British ones. Everyone is looking out for themselves which shows that peace will not come soon" said Aleksandar Vucić.
Wang Yi: “Some Forces Did Not Want Conflict to End Quickly”
China's top diplomat Wang Yi informed that earlier peace talks in belarus and Turkey had failed because negotiators were interested in war. He assured that Beijing was interested in peace and had intention to end war through dialogue. Wang Yi promised that China would soon publish a document giving an elaborate account of their position on diplomatic settlement of the Ukraine conflict.
"Some forces did not want the conflict to end quickly. They weren't concerned about Ukrainian lives nor about Europe's brighter future and perhaps they had a strategic goal outside Ukraine... We don't want to fuel fire, we don't want any gains from the crisis, we want to contribute towards finding peace. We're on the side of peace and dialogue" said Wang Yi.
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