Ukrainian president at Munich Security Conference: ‘We will protect our country with or without support’

At the Munich Security Conference on Saturday, February 19, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy spoke about the biggest security crisis since World War II, saying that Ukraine yearns for peace, but will defend its borders alone if necessary.

Zelenskiy called for more international support for his country, but noted, “We will protect our country, with or without the support of our partners.”

He complained that the international security architecture had become fragile and that the rules were no longer working.

The Ukrainian president warned against completely forgetting the mistakes of the twentieth century, adding, “We will defend our country, but we want a diplomatic solution instead of a military conflict.”

Zelenskiy calls for “sincere” response to Ukraine's membership in NATO

Zelenskiy said that intense bombing had targeted eastern Ukraine over the past two days.

Referring to Western arms shipments, the Ukrainian president said that these were not “donations” but rather a contribution to European and international security. At the same time, he demanded an honest answer from NATO about whether his country could become a member at all.

“If not everyone wants to see us there, be honest,” he said, referring to the necessary consensus among NATO members. “We need honest answers. But no one should think that Ukraine will remain a permanent buffer zone between the West and Russia.”

Zelenskiy also denied the occurrence of bombing from Ukraine on Russian territory, saying about the relevant reports, “This is a lie.”

At the same time, he declared, “We will not respond to provocations. The danger of war is great, but there will be no panic.”