Munich Security Conference. What was said about Russia?

The issue of the full-scale Russo-Ukrainian war, which has been ongoing for almost four years now, remains an important topic in the context of regional security. It is worth paying attention to how the participants of the conference spoke about it.

The High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, emphasized the negotiation situation surrounding the conflict. As she pointed out, currently, Russia could gain more in the negotiations than it has gained on the front so far. Since 2014, Russia has “struggled to advance beyond the front line,” suffering around 1.2 million casualties. “Today Russia is weakened, its economy is in ruins, it has been cut off from European energy markets, and its citizens are fleeing. The greatest threat Russia currently poses is that it is achieving more at the negotiating table than on the battlefield,” Kallas said.

The head of American diplomacy, Marco Rubio, representing the United States at the conference, stated that “we do not know whether the Russians seriously want to end the war against Ukraine.” The warring parties cannot reach an agreement on the most difficult issues. The tone of Rubio’s speech is milder than the statements of the most important decision-makers in the United States. Last year, the United States was represented by Vice President J. D. Vance, who sharply criticized Europe. However, the American message remains similar – with Donald Trump returning to the presidency, the current foreign policy of the United States is changing. This does not mean, however, that the United States is unwilling to cooperate with Europe.

French President Emmanuel Macron drew attention to the fact that Europe will have to deal with an aggressive Russia even after the war in Ukraine ends. According to the politician, Europe should develop long-range precision strike systems. The president also mentioned nuclear deterrence. The French side has initiated a dialogue with European leaders regarding the expansion of French nuclear capabilities across Europe.

The Ukrainian side at the conference was represented by President Volodymyr Zelensky. In his speech, he lamented the lack of European involvement in the negotiations between Russia and Ukraine. “Europe is practically absent at the table. In my opinion, this is a big mistake. And we, I think we Ukrainians, are trying to fully involve Europe in this process so that Europe’s interests and voice are taken into account. This is very important.” Currently, the negotiations are being conducted through the United States in locations distant from Europe. At the same time, it should be added that Europe remains the largest donor of financial and military aid to Ukraine, which continues to fight. Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski also drew attention to the same issue. “We are paying for the war now. Last year, the American contribution to the war was close to zero. We are buying American weapons in order to deliver them to Ukraine. There is no foreign aid in Congress and not even the prospect of foreign aid. If we are paying, we deserve a seat at the table, because the outcome of this war will affect us,” he said.