Ukraine’s President Calls Russian Leader a “War Slave”

Zelensky delivered a sharp warning during the Munich Security Conference, labeling Russia’s president a “slave to war.” He cautioned that the conflict will not resolve simply by ceding territory and drew a stark parallel to the 1938 Munich Agreement, where European powers capitulated to Hitler before World War II.

Key Points

• Energy Infrastructure Damage
  Zelensky highlighted the extensive damage to Ukraine’s energy grid, noting that every power plant has been targeted. Despite this, he praised the workers maintaining the grid and urged Western allies to expedite delivery of additional air‑defence systems.

• Meeting with U.S. Secretary of State
  The Ukrainian leader met with Marco Rubio, emphasizing that Ukraine will not surrender its eastern regions. He insisted any agreement must contain robust security guarantees, warning that loopholes could enable Russia to spark another war.

• Concessions vs. Recognition
  Zelensky criticized the U.S.’s focus on Ukraine’s needs while Russia demands recognition of its occupied territories. He warned that fragmenting Ukraine would mirror the mistake of ceding Czechoslovakia in 1938.

Upcoming Talks

The next round of negotiations is slated for Geneva, following the U.S.–Russia–Ukraine meetings in Abu Dhabi. Zelensky hopes these talks will be productive and calls for swift political decisions, noting that weapons technology advances faster than policy.

“Elections in Ukraine will occur only after a ceasefire and solid security guarantees are secured.” – Zelensky