In a powerful address at the Munich Security Conference on February 17th, President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine issued a clarion call to the West, outlining five key steps the international community could take to help Ukraine edge closer to defeating Russia in a full-scale war.
Zelensky’s impassioned plea comes at a crucial juncture, as Ukraine continues to resist Russian aggression on multiple fronts.
Zelensky minced no words in characterising Putin as a grave threat not only to Ukraine but to all free nations. He underscored the urgency of the situation, emphasizing that dictators like Putin do not take vacations, and hatred knows no pause.
The Ukrainian president reminded the world of Putin’s brutal incursions into Ukraine, resulting in the deaths of thousands and the abduction of tens of thousands of Ukrainian children.
Additionally, Zelensky highlighted Putin’s track record of aggression against other nations, including Chechnya, Syria, and Georgia, as well as his orchestration of political assassinations.
“Thus, let us not fear Putin’s defeat and the dismantling of his regime. Instead, let us work together to dismantle the very foundations he stands for,” Zelensky urged.
Central to Zelensky’s appeal was the imperative for the West to close all loopholes in sanctions against Russia and seize frozen Russian assets.
He called for unity among Western nations and emphasized the need to support Ukraine’s “peace formula” to restore the full force of the international order based on rules.
Zelensky’s address underscored Ukraine’s resilience on the battlefield, debunking the myth propagated by Russia that Ukraine is incapable of prevailing in this conflict.
He pointed to Ukrainian successes in repelling Russian advances and reclaiming territory, demonstrating that Putin’s forces are not invincible.
“We can reclaim our land, and Putin can be defeated. This has happened more than once on the battlefield,” Zelensky asserted.
However, Zelensky lamented the artificial shortage of arms and ammunition impeding Ukraine’s ability to counter Russian aggression effectively.
He warned that this self-imposed limitation weakens democracies and undermines collective efforts against Russian aggression.
The delay in approving additional funding for Ukraine’s defence from the United States has exacerbated this challenge, leaving Ukraine without crucial military assistance.
As a result, European nations may need to step up their support to fill this gap.
Zelensky remains hopeful for positive outcomes in the U.S. Congress regarding continued support for Ukraine, but the urgency of the situation demands immediate action from the international community.
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