Ukraine crisis to top Munich security conference

Oliver Towfigh Nia

BERLIN (AA) - More than 100 ministers and an excess of 30 heads of state and government are expected to attend the Munich Security Conference that will feature talks on the Russian-Ukrainian conflict.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, US Vice President Kamala Harris and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy are scheduled to attend the high-profile security meeting in the Bavarian capital from Feb. 18 to 20.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken who is also taking part in the conference, will coordinate with Western allies to continue to urge Russia to de-escalate and seek a diplomatic solution to the conflict, the German Foreign Ministry said Wednesday.

The willingness to act in a united and strong manner should Russia invade Ukraine will be emphasized, the ministry added.

Russia announced it will not participate in the conference.

Foreign ministers of leading democratic economic powers want to meet on the sidelines of the conference to discuss the Ukraine crisis, a German foreign ministry spokesperson confirmed earlier this week.

Germany currently chairs the G7 group, which also includes the US, France, UK, Italy, Canada and Japan.

A meeting of the foreign ministers of Germany, France and Ukraine is also planned on the fringes of the conference, according to the German Foreign Ministry.

Ukraine, Russia and NATO are the focus of the conference, especially on Saturday.

Already at the start on Friday, global challenges are on the agenda

Sunday is primarily dedicated to the future of the European Union.