Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressed key security concerns and international partnerships during his communication with journalists at the Munich Security Conference today.
His remarks focused on this morning’s attack on Chernobyl, Ukraine’s ties with the United States, Russia’s military mobilisation, NATO ambitions, the need for a larger Ukrainian army, and Europe’s role in future negotiations.
Attack on the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant
Zelenskyy disclosed that a drone attack targeted the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant overnight. The attack reportedly struck the protective sarcophagus enclosing the damaged reactor. He described the event, stating:
“There was a strike on the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant, on the sarcophagus that covers the specific block of the station, which is dangerous, very dangerous. After all, 40 countries in the world built this sarcophagus not just like that, they built it for a long time. It is an absolutely security-based, safe sarcophagus, and today there was a drone strike.”
He further noted that the drone attack occurred at an altitude of 85 metres, which made it undetectable by radar systems:
“The drone was flying at an altitude of 85 metres. I think it is important to understand that radars do not see this altitude.”
Zelenskyy suggested that the timing of the attack, coinciding with the opening of the Munich Security Conference, indicated a direct signal from Russia:
“The strike was precisely on the sarcophagus and precisely on the day of the start of the Munich Security Conference. This is a very clear, in quotation marks, greeting from Putin.”
US-Ukraine Relationship and Trump Discussions
Zelenskyy confirmed a lengthy conversation with US President Donald Trump, describing it as positive but insufficient to formulate a concrete security plan. He remarked:
“We had a conversation, an hour or something like that, well, a long conversation, long enough to talk about some details, but not enough to form a plan.”
Discussions touched on frontline conditions, Russian military losses, and North Korea’s involvement in supplying military personnel and equipment to Russia:
“We talked about many details on the situation at the front, about how many millions they have, what the real losses are… We now see that a few more thousand, we think 2,000, maybe 2,500, will be transferred.”
He also emphasised that Ukraine needs clear security guarantees from Washington:
“We fully understand what is happening on the battlefield, also concerning North Korea… But we want to act in accordance with international law, in accordance with the law, and in accordance with the prevention of future fears or horrors for the whole world.”
Russia’s Military Mobilisation and the Belarus Factor
Zelenskyy warned that Russia is increasing its military presence near Ukraine’s borders, particularly through Belarus. Intelligence reports indicate that Russia is preparing 15 divisions, potentially amounting to 100,000-150,000 troops. He expressed concerns:
“Russia will prepare 15 divisions for training and for strengthening the situation in the Belarusian direction… This is a large formation, I am not sure whether this formation will launch an offensive against Ukraine. I am just not sure.”
He warned that this force could either invade Ukraine or shift towards NATO’s eastern flank:
“It could go into Ukraine, or into Poland, or into the Baltics.”
Zelenskyy cautioned that Russian actions may be aimed at a larger war beyond Ukraine:
“He is preparing for war against NATO countries next year.”
Ukraine’s NATO Aspirations and the Need for a 1.5-Million Army
Acknowledging that the US is hesitant about Ukraine’s NATO membership, Zelenskyy stated:
“Today’s America and President Trump are not ready to talk about NATO. They say it openly.”
Despite this, he reiterated Ukraine’s commitment to securing its defence through NATO-aligned structures:
“We must think logically. We want to be in NATO because of the word NATO, because of security guarantees, we trust NATO, we trust these security guarantees.”
If NATO accession remains unlikely in the near future, he argued that Ukraine must independently strengthen its military:
“If we are not in NATO or until we are in NATO, we must have exactly the kind of army that is capable of defending. This means the appropriate weapons, NATO-standard weapons, and the corresponding number of soldiers. Our own, Ukrainian soldiers. And what is this number? I will simply tell you the figures that we, along with all the military, understand. This will be an army of 1.5 million. One and a half million!”
Zelenskyy pointed out that the current size of the Ukrainian army is significantly smaller than what is required:
“Right now, we have about half the number of combat brigades that Russia has. They have 220, and we have 110 today. So, we need 220.”
He also addressed the financial implications of maintaining such a force, noting that the current annual military budget of $40 billion would need to increase:
“For an army of this size, we will need not $40 billion per year but at least $60 billion. So it is important to think about who and how will finance this.”
The Role of Europe and Future Negotiations
Zelenskyy stressed that Europe must be prepared to increase its support for Ukraine, particularly if US involvement declines. He remarked:
“There is great anxiety among Europeans, everyone is afraid that they might be left without American support.”
He warned that Russia seeks to divide US and European support for Ukraine:
“This is primarily Putin’s desire, for America to leave, for there to be a gap between us.”
Regarding peace negotiations, Zelenskyy made clear that Ukraine will not make territorial concessions:
“Territorial integrity is our red line. This is the Constitution of Ukraine, this is our sovereignty. Only the people of Ukraine can decide this, and no one else.”
He also noted that peace discussions must not be dictated solely by Western allies, stressing the need for clear security guarantees:
“If there are no security guarantees – yes, it is beneficial to them. And it is very beneficial to them.”
Conclusion
Zelenskyy’s address at the Munich Security Conference reinforced Ukraine’s urgent need for concrete security guarantees and increased military capabilities. He highlighted that while diplomatic engagements continue, Ukraine cannot afford to wait for NATO accession but must instead develop a self-reliant defence strategy with European support. The need for a 1.5-million-strong army and increased military spending is a recognition of the sustained threat from Russia.
Zelenskyy made it clear that Europe must step up its commitments, particularly as American foreign policy priorities remain uncertain. He warned that any fragmentation in Western support would only serve Russia’s strategic interests.
Ukraine remains firm in rejecting territorial concessions and demands tangible security commitments from its allies.
The message from Munich was clear: Ukraine is willing to engage in discussions but will not accept superficial compromises. The priority remains strengthening the country’s defence, securing reliable partnerships, and ensuring that Russia does not dictate terms through aggression.
Read also:
Russian Drone Strike Damages Chernobyl Nuclear Shield while Trump Believes Putin Wants Peace
