Ukrainian president calls on Western allies to speed up arms deliveries

By Ayhan Simsek

MUNICH (AA) - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called on Western allies to speed up arms deliveries, stating that Russia is preparing for new offensives.

“There is no alternative to speed, because it is the speed that the life depends on. Delay has always been and still is a mistake,” Zelenskyy said in his video address at the Munich Security Conference.

The Ukrainian leader thanked French and German leaders for extending their support to Ukraine, but also noted that Europe’s delayed response to Russia cost many lives in his country.

“Last year, when I was here, in Munich, at the conference, I was looking for such common determination,” he said, recalling his speech in February last year before Russia’s military attack on Ukraine.

“I wanted to hear from the world: Ukraine, we will be with you! Unfortunately, I heard it only after Russian missiles struck our land, already after the Russian tanks started moving,” he said.

Zelenskyy accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of trying to buy additional time to prepare for new offensives against Ukraine, and called on his Western allies to speed up their arms deliveries to his country.

“Unfortunately, he can still destroy many lives many, many. That is why we need to hurry up, we need the speed, speed of our agreements, speed of our delivery,” he said.

“There is no alternative to speed, because it is the speed that the life depends on,” he said.

“While we negotiate how to strengthen our defense with modern tanks, the Kremlin is thinking about ways to strangle Moldova," Zelenskyy said.

Political leaders from some 40 nations will speak at the Munich Security Conference where US Vice President Kamala Harris, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz are expected to speak.

The annual event, which is often called the "Davos for Defense," will focus on the war in Ukraine and Western policy toward Russia, according to the organizers.