Zelenskyy's remarks on Trump, Putin, and NATO alternatives at Munich Conference

Peace agreement cannot be signed in Munich

Zelenskyy stated that, unfortunately, there is no talk of a peace agreement today. He emphasized that Ukraine is not seeking mediation between itself and Vladimir Putin, as it was Putin who initiated the war. Ukraine needs the support of a strong US President, Donald Trump, to stand on Ukraine's side.

"A peace agreement cannot be signed in Munich because this is Munich and there is no President here. And we remember what was signed here once," he said.

A peace agreement will emerge after a plan to end the war, which must be supported by Trump and Europe. Zelenskyy clarified that Europe's voice at the negotiating table is very important for Ukraine.

Ukraine and partners must protect critical minerals

Zelenskyy shared that he had a good conversation with Trump and American colleagues. Ukraine received an investment proposal for resource extraction. However, when it comes to resources, it is important to protect them to ensure they do not fall into the hands of Russia and its allies, North Korea and possibly China.

"I don't know whom Russia wants to give it after occupation. We need to save critical minerals - that's my message. I was happy that the American side came directly to Kyiv and brought the document. Our lawyers will learn it and then with some advice and some changes it will come back," Zelenskyy said.

He added that this is not a security document, but a bilateral memorandum. The President noted that he is ready to meet with US Vice President Jay D. Vance in the evening or tomorrow morning.

"I'm not ready to sign everything but I'm ready to meet," added the President.

He added that this memorandum will be signed if it is ready for signing.

A meeting with Trump is needed to develop a "plan of civilized people"

Phone conversations with Putin do not pose a threat to the US or Trump, as he is stronger than Putin. However, they do present risks for the entire world. Putin claims he wants to end the war, but after their direct contact in December 2019 in Paris, where they discussed a ceasefire in Donbas and prisoner exchanges, Zelenskyy no longer trusts him.

"What is very important - the meeting. Not to make any decisions about Ukraine without Ukraine. This is a principal position. I'm speaking about all our nation. Without the real security guarantees, we will give him (Putin - ed.) pause. I don't want to be the person in history who helped Putin to occupy my country," the President said.

According to Zelenskyy, Trump has all the necessary leverage over Putin, including the ability to impose sanctions. He also expressed readiness to travel to Washington any day to develop a "plan for civilized people."

US has never seen Ukraine in NATO

Zelenskyy has heard many times from the current and previous US presidents that they do not see Ukraine in NATO.

"The US never saw us in NATO. They just spoke about it. But they didn't want us in NATO. I never heard that we will be in NATO," he said.

According to him, senators and congressmen have supported Ukraine’s membership, but at the presidential level, he has never heard that "we will be in NATO." He emphasized that this is not a question to Trump but to US policy as a whole. However, this does not mean that Ukraine cannot change American policy.

What is the alternative to NATO membership

Ukraine has a strong army that can strengthen NATO everywhere. Therefore, Ukraine's membership in the alliance would be in mutual interest.

"If it's not NATO for today, we will ask tomorrow," Zelenskyy said.

According to him, the only alternative today is to make NATO in Ukraine.

"We need to increase our army twice. We have 110 brigades, and Russia has 220 brigades. They are two times bigger than we," he added.

This is necessary because, even together with Europe, which has approximately 80 brigades, the combined forces are still smaller than Russia’s. When discussing security guarantees, it is essential to finance the expansion of Ukraine’s army and find ways to scale up military production and armed forces in Europe. The President said Ukraine is ready to discuss it.

Possible security guarantees

The issue of security guarantees was discussed with the leaders of the US, France, and the UK. According to Zelenskyy, the primary requirement is for America and Europe to support Ukraine and maintain unity. If this becomes part of the security guarantees, that would be good.

As for a foreign military presence, it does not matter which country the forces come from.

“We need an army of 1.5 million soldiers if we’re not in NATO if we don’t want to fear a new Russian occupation or invasion after a ceasefire or something like that," Zelenskyy said.

Ukraine knows where it needs additional armed forces.

The President emphasized that Ukraine has a detailed map with specific numbers indicating where foreign partner forces are needed and where they should be stationed. He stated that the country is ready for any positive decisions and urged for action.

Contacts with Trump and when he will meet with Putin

Donald Trump did give Zelenskyy his personal number and said that he could call him at any time. The President of Ukraine expects Trump to help him.

As for the rumors about an alleged meeting with the Russians next week, this is not true.

"Yes, I will have an official visit to Saudi Arabia, and also to Emirates and to Türkiye. I have very important meetings with the guys who already helped us to bring back home our warriors. They helped us a lot with the deported children," the President said.

He noted that he would not meet with the Russians and did not know whether they were happy about it or not, but it is not part of his plans.

"I will meet only with one Russian guy, with Putin, only after we have a common plan with Trump, Europe, and we will sit with Putin and stop the war," Zelenskyy stated.

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At the panel discussion, US Republican Senator Lindsey Graham spoke alongside Zelenskyy, making several notable statements. He pointed out that in 2014, instead of supplying weapons, the US gave Ukraine blankets.

Graham also emphasized that Russia’s war against Ukraine must not end poorly, as it did in Afghanistan, and expressed confidence that Trump would not allow that to happen.

"Arm this guy to the teeth. Give him a bunch of F-16s and tanks because they (the Ukrainians - ed.) will fight. Let's arm this guy, let's do the minerals agreement. If we sign this minerals agreement Putin is screwed," he said.

He also stressed that Ukraine would not be admitted to NATO immediately. However, he argued that it is now crucial to send a clear message to Putin: if he attacks again, Ukraine will join NATO very quickly.

"If we put Ukraine in NATO it will make Putin mad. Well, I think he's mad already. It is about making him worried - if you do it we're going to crush your economy, put tariffs on you, and put sanctions on you," Graham added.

Follow the main events at the Munich Security Conference on RBC-Ukraine online.

Earlier, RBC-Ukraine cited the main statements of US Vice President J.D. Vance at the Munich conference.