Europe Can’t Be on the Sidelines
At the Munich Security Conference, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy made it clear he believes Europe should play a far more visible role in negotiations aimed at ending the war with Russia. He called it a serious miscalculation for European leaders to be largely absent from U.S.-led talks, arguing that peace in Ukraine directly affects the security of the entire continent.
With another round of trilateral discussions approaching, Zelenskyy acknowledged that progress toward a ceasefire has been limited. He expressed frustration that the different sides often appear to be discussing entirely different priorities. He also warned against placing the burden of compromise mainly on Ukraine, saying that without equal pressure on Moscow, negotiations risk encouraging further aggression instead of preventing it.
Guarantees First, Politics Second
For Kyiv, security guarantees remain the foundation of any potential agreement. Zelenskyy stressed that without firm, enforceable commitments, any deal would be unstable. European countries are expected to carry much of the responsibility for those guarantees, with the United States providing crucial backing. He said Ukraine has already prepared detailed proposals and stands ready to formalize agreements with both European and American partners.
Zelenskyy also suggested that Ukraine’s path toward joining the European Union should be clearly defined within a peace settlement, with 2027 mentioned as a possible target year. On elections, he said voting can only take place under a genuine ceasefire, noting the practical and security challenges of organizing a fair ballot while fighting continues. He added that he would welcome a similar pause in Russia to allow for open elections there as well.
Cutting Off the Kremlin’s Oil Profits
Beyond diplomacy, Zelenskyy urged allies to intensify efforts to curb Russia’s oil income, which continues to finance its military operations. He pointed to a fleet of more than 1,000 tankers operating near European waters, describing them as “floating wallets for the Kremlin.”
Zelenskyy called for tougher enforcement measures, including detaining, blocking, or confiscating vessels that bypass sanctions. He said he has recently discussed these steps with Emmanuel Macron and Ursula von der Leyen. Without revenue from oil exports, he argued, Moscow would face far greater difficulty sustaining its war effort.
