Europe Needs a Bigger Voice in Peace Talks
At the Munich Security Conference, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned that Europe’s absence from U.S.-led negotiations to end the war with Russia is a “big mistake.” He stressed that any lasting peace must reflect the security interests of the whole continent, not just Ukraine and the United States.
Zelenskyy pointed to upcoming trilateral talks with Russia and the U.S., noting that progress toward a ceasefire has been minimal. He expressed frustration that the sides often appear to be “talking about completely different things” and criticized what he sees as a one-sided focus on Ukraine making concessions while Russia faces little pressure to compromise.
Security Guarantees and EU Integration
Kyiv insists that any agreement must include firm security guarantees. Zelenskyy said peace cannot endure without a clear, enforceable system, with European countries carrying much of the responsibility and U.S. support acting as a backstop. He confirmed that Ukraine has prepared detailed proposals and is ready to formalize agreements with both European and American partners.
On EU membership, Zelenskyy suggested a formal accession date could be included in a peace settlement, potentially as early as 2027. Regarding elections, he said Ukraine would hold them only under a genuine ceasefire, highlighting the impossibility of a fair vote while soldiers remain on the front lines. He also noted that he would welcome a similar ceasefire in Russia to allow free elections there.
Cutting Off Russia’s Energy Lifeline
Zelenskyy called for tougher measures to stop Russia from using its oil revenues to fund the war. Despite sanctions, he said Moscow still relies on a fleet of over 1,000 tankers near European waters, which he called “floating wallets for the Kremlin.”
He urged stronger enforcement, including detaining, blocking, or confiscating vessels that bypass sanctions, and said he recently discussed these measures with Emmanuel Macron and Ursula von der Leyen. Zelenskyy warned that without oil revenue, Russia would struggle to sustain its military campaign. “Without oil money,” he said, “Putin would not have money for this war.”
