(Munich) Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Saturday proposed a meeting with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, at a time when fears of a Russian invasion of Ukraine are at their highest.
Posted at 10:54 a.m.
“I don’t know what the Russian president wants, that’s why I suggest we meet,” he told the Munich Security Conference.
PHOTO ALEXEY NIKOLSKY, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
Russian President Vladimir Putin
President Zelensky also called for a “clear and achievable” timetable for his country’s NATO membership on Saturday, amid fears of a Russian invasion.
Facing Russia, the West should “support Ukraine and its defense capabilities” and give it “a clear and achievable timeline” for NATO membership, Zelensky said.
“We appreciate any help, but everyone should understand: it is not charity contributions that Ukraine should ask for […] It is your contribution to the security of Europe and the world. Where Ukraine has been the shield for eight years,” he said.
Mr. Zelensky also urged Western countries to stop their policy of “appeasement” of Russia.
“Ukraine received security guarantees when it renounced its nuclear weapons, the third largest in the world. We have no weapons. Nor security. […] But we have the right to demand an end to the policy of appeasement and to ask for guarantees of security and peace,” he said.