War in Ukraine, possible peace deal talks dominate political agenda at Munich Security Conference

By Burak Bir

MUNICH (AA) - The first day of the Munich Security Conference (MSC)saw high-level discussions on Friday about the war in Ukraine, statements on possible peace negotiations as well as the US vice president's remarks about Europe.

The three-day annual flagship conference kicked off in Munich, hosting more than 50 heads of state and government and 150 ministers from all over the world.

The 61st edition of the conference officially started after an opening by German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, followed by separate addresses by several leaders and a number of high-level meetings, especially on the war in Ukraine, EU-US ties and the situation in the Middle East.

US Vice President JD Vance emphasized the need for Europe to take a more prominent role in its security while criticizing European politicians, institutions and courts for what he sees as a retreat from democratic principles.

He specifically called out the recent annulment of presidential election results in Romania, arguing that it undermined the foundations of democracy.

German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius firmly rejected Vance's assertion that European countries were abandoning democratic principles.

The defense chief also sharply criticized the administration of US President Donald Trump for undermining Ukraine’s position ahead of possible peace negotiations with Russia.

Steinmeier cautioned the US against hastily entering peace talks with Russia over Ukraine, warning of far-reaching consequences for allies.

He told reporters that statements from US officials after Trump's telephone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin had weakened Kyiv's negotiating position.

- 'NATO membership never promised to Ukraine as part of peace deal'

Meanwhile, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said NATO membership had never been promised to Ukraine as part of a peace deal.

"It has never been said before, and not even in that Washington summit statement, that when a peace deal would be done on Ukraine, that in that peace deal, it should be NATO, full stop. That is not the case," he told reporters.

During her address, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen touched on trade ties between the EU and the US, expressing her opposition to "reciprocal" US tariffs on the EU. "Trade wars and punitive tariffs make no sense."

"A stronger Europe works with the United States to deter the threats we have in common as partners, and this is why we believe that trade wars and punitive tariffs make no sense," she said.

Bulgarian President Rumen Radev expressed optimism about talks on the "Ukraine peace plan," in an interview with Anadolu, saying it is "finally" time to use all diplomatic instruments to end the conflict.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy who is among high-level attendees at the MSC, warned against any peace agreement without Kyiv's involvement, as Trump agreed with Putin to "immediately" start negotiations to end the three-year Ukraine war.

During his address to the conference, Zelenskyy dismissed the idea of a peace deal being reached at the gathering.

"A peace deal can’t be signed in Munich --we remember what was signed here before," he said, referring to the 1938 Munich Agreement, which failed to deter Adolf Hitler and did not prevent World War II.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi highlighted the importance of cooperation, saying that Beijing is ready to work with the EU for a "prosperous" world.

Extending a hand of cooperation to Europe to "steer the world to a bright future of peace, security, prosperity and progress," said Wang.

- 'Gazans must go back and live in the Gaza Strip'

The situation of Palestinians and the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip as well as the future of a ceasefire agreement are other top agenda items for leaders at the MSC.

Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares stressed to Anadolu that “Gazans must go back and live in the Gaza Strip,” pledging that his country would do everything possible to help with the reconstruction of the coastal enclave.

"We really want this ceasefire to become permanent, and I am really happy to see that the release of hostages has (been) reinstated again," he noted.

Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty also reaffirmed his country’s commitment to present a comprehensive plan for the reconstruction of Gaza, adding that Palestinians should remain on their land "without displacement."

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan met US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Friday to discuss Syria and Gaza, among other issues, diplomatic sources said.

During their first face-to-face meeting, Fidan shared Türkiye's views on steps countries in the region could take in the fight against the ISIS (Daesh) terror group.

Fidan held separate meetings with his UK counterpart, David Lammy, and German counterpart, Annalena Baerbock, on the sidelines of the conference, discussing bilateral and regional issues, including the need for a permanent truce in Gaza and developments in Ukraine and Syria.

Also, the Turkish foreign minister met his French counterpart, Jean-Noel Barrot, to discuss Syria and Türkiye-EU relations as well as the Ukraine war.

He also held talks separate talks with Emil Hurezeanu, his Romanian counterpart and Austrian counterpart, Alexander Schallenberg.

Fidan and Schallenberg discussed ties and regional security issues

Felix Tshisekedi, the president of the Democratic Republic of Congo, sought "countermeasures" against Rwanda for escalation in eastern Congo.

"Rwanda has repeatedly provoked such situations for many years, and there have not been any countermeasures taken," Tshisekedi told a panel discussion.