Zelenskyy at Munich: “I Don't Want to Be the One Who Helps Putin Occupy My Country”

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy spoke at the event, titled “Strategic Investment: The Future of US–Ukraine Security Cooperation,” which took place at the Munich Security Conference on February 14.

The discussion centered on strengthening security cooperation between the US and Ukraine, with a focus on proposed mineral partnerships and Ukraine’s defense capabilities.

President Zelenskyy, alongside a bipartisan group of US senators, including Republicans Lindsey Graham and John Cornyn, and Democrats Jeanne Shaheen and Sheldon Whitehouse, stated “I don’t want to be the person in history who helped Putin to occupy my country.”

Zelenskyy reiterated that if Ukraine is not admitted to NATO, it will require a 1.5 million-strong army as an alternative security measure. He emphasized that NATO membership remains Kyiv’s preferred and most cost-effective means of deterring future Russian aggression.

During the discussion, Senator Lindsey Graham voiced strong support for Ukraine, advocating for continued military assistance and a strategy to deter Russian leader Vladimir Putin.

Earlier, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated at the Munich Security Conference that Russia plans to prepare 15 divisions for training and reinforcement along the Belarusian front this year.