Weapons today evolve faster than political decisions meant to stop them, which is why action must be taken immediately – lost time works against people. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said this during his speech at the Munich Security Conference.
The Head of State thanked the countries and organizations that support Ukraine, our independence, and our people not just in words but through concrete actions throughout the war.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed special gratitude for the weapons provided, as well as for financial support. In particular, the President noted the outcome of the meeting in the Ramstein format – €38 billion that partners have pledged to provide. A significant portion of these funds will be directed to the PURL initiative, which strengthens Ukraine’s air defense.
“PURL is the program that allows us to buy Patriot missiles in the U.S. and other weapons that protect Ukrainians from Russian attacks, of course. Most of the air defense missiles that can stop Russian ballistic missiles come to us thanks to PURL. And PURL exists because of Europe – it’s true – Europe is paying for our ability to stop ballistic attacks. Thanks to everyone who helps us,” the President said.
At the same time, Volodymyr Zelenskyy stressed the importance of swift decisions and demonstrated on slides what four years of full-scale war truly mean and what even a single day’s delay in assistance costs.
“One of the worst things a leader can hear in wartime is a report from the Air Force commander saying: the air defense units are empty – they used their missiles to stop Russian strikes, and there was no resupply. And intelligence says – a new massive attack may come in a day or two,” the President said.
During just one attack, Russia used nearly 250 strike drones and missiles. In January alone, the Russian Federation used 6,000 strike drones, more than 150 missiles of various types, and over 5,000 glide bombs in attacks against Ukraine.
The Head of State emphasized that not a single power plant in Ukraine remains undamaged by Russian strikes. Yet we are still generating electricity thanks to the physical protection of facilities, thanks to everyone helping us with air defense, and thanks to our people – thousands of workers.
“When I see our energy workers, our repair crews, rescue teams – I see something that is often missing in politics: true dedication – the ability to work at one hundred percent, to act immediately – in a real emergency. Not in a month, not in a year or two, but they save lives here, they save lives now. All these years. And many politicians could learn – and must, I think, must learn – from ordinary rescuers, from ordinary repair crews, from ordinary electricians – how to act immediately,” the President emphasized.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted that in contrast to slow decisions, weapons have evolved rapidly during this war. At the beginning of Russia’s aggression, Iranian “shaheds” were simple and easy to shoot down. Now they fly at different altitudes, are controlled in real time using Starlink, and can carry small strike drones.
“And the longer a war continues, the more resources the aggressor receives – the more dangerous the consequences become – the more dangerous the evolution of weapons and of war itself, and the evolution of Putin,” he added.
According to the Head of State, aggression can only be countered through swift action. Instead, Ukraine had to spend a long time persuading and pressing partners to provide stronger weapons: months for HIMARS and tanks, and years for aircraft.
The President noted that in the streets of Munich and other cities, people call for support of freedom in Iran. Although Ukraine does not share a border with Iran, we are attacked daily by Iranian “shaheds” purchased by Russia. The enemy kills our people and destroys infrastructure with them. Today, Iranians expect from the world what Ukraine expected on February 24, 2022 – unity, determination, and speed.
“They must be stopped immediately. And this is exactly what should have happened with the Ayatollah – after all the wars his regime unleashed and all the lives it took – and with Putin as well: after the war in Georgia, after Syria, after 2014 and the occupation of Crimea.” Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized.
According to the President, there is no country in Europe today that could rely solely on its own technology and money to defend itself in a full-scale war.
“Our unity is the best interceptor against Russia’s aggressive plans. The best one. And we still have it. And I want to thank you, each of you who keeps unity alive – and makes it stronger. Our unity is what protects us,” the Head of State stressed.
At the same time, Volodymyr Zelenskyy called on the world not to ignore the fact that Russia still has partners – regimes such as North Korea, companies around the world, many from China, that help circumvent sanctions and supply components for Russian weapons. The Russian leader still has guarantees of financial stability in the form of a shadow fleet – these vessels must not only be detained but also blocked and their oil confiscated.
One month of war for Russia, according to the President of Ukraine, means 30,000–35,000 eliminated or severely wounded occupiers – in other words, 156 killed soldiers for every occupied kilometer in the Donetsk region. So far, the Russian dictator is not concerned by this, but Ukraine’s goal is to eliminate at least 50,000 invaders per month.
“It is Ukrainians who are holding the European front. Behind our people stand an independent Poland and the free Baltic states. There can be a sovereign Moldova and a Romania without dictatorship. And even one Viktor can think about how to grow his belly – not how to grow his army to stop Russian tanks from returning to the streets of Budapest,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted.
According to the Head of State, Putin’s main problem is that nothing interests him beyond war.
“He may see himself as a tsar, but in reality, he is a slave to war,” the President added.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy stressed that even if hostilities were to stop now, there would be a serious risk that Russia would return with war unless there are real and strong security guarantees for Ukraine and for all of Europe.
“We think that the agreement on security guarantees should come before any agreement to end the war. Those guarantees answer the main question – how long there will be no war again,” the Head of State emphasized.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy recalled how, before the war began, Ukraine urged the world to act preemptively – to prevent the Russian invasion and provide weapons for self-defense – but instead received advice from General Milley to dig trenches.
“What did Russia see in 2021? Putin sat as an equal with the President of the U.S. – in Geneva. And he felt he could reshape Europe – and the world. There were no preventive sanctions against Russia, and there were no serious defense packages to show that we could stand up to Russia,” the President added.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted that even now, when the Russian ruler once again ignores calls to cease hostilities during the Olympic Games, Ukrainian athletes face injustice. Skeleton athlete Vladyslav Heraskevych was disqualified at the Olympics simply for intending to wear a helmet displaying the faces of athletes killed by Russia in the war it unleashed. This punishment for our Olympian, who had not even violated any rules, stands in stark contrast to the world’s position in 2021.
“When in 2021 we clearly saw Putin’s intent – and asked for preventive sanctions to stop the invasion, we were told – first there must be a crime, and only then can there be punishment,” the Head of State stressed.
The President also stressed that the negotiation process clearly demonstrates that Russia does not seek to end the war but is trying to avoid ending it and buy time. It is important not to give the aggressor hope that it can escape accountability for its crimes. According to Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the only moments Russia took negotiations seriously were after Ukrainian strikes on its oil refineries or when the United States considered providing us with Tomahawks. Therefore, it is crucial to negotiate strictly from a position of strength and to involve Europe in the talks.
“Europe is practically not present at the table. It’s a big mistake, to my mind. And it is we – Ukrainians – who are trying to bring Europe fully into the process, so that Europe’s interests and voice are taken into account. This is very important.” Volodymyr Zelenskyy added.
The President assured that Ukraine is doing everything possible to ensure that these negotiations are successful and lead to real security and peace.
“Ukraine is ready for a deal that brings real peace to us, to Ukraine, to Europe. I am confident that this war can be ended – and ended with dignity. This is the most important for us – with dignity,” the President concluded.
