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High-Stakes Meeting at Munich Security Conference Between U.S. and Ukraine
At this year’s Munich Security Conference, Vice President JD Vance and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy engaged in a pivotal discussion regarding the ongoing war in Ukraine, now approaching its fourth anniversary. Their meeting was prompted by a renewed focus on diplomatic resolutions under the Trump administration.
Vance emphasized the U.S. commitment to achieving a “durable” peace, reiterating the need for security stability in Eastern Europe. “We want the killing to stop, but we want to achieve a durable, lasting peace,” Vance stated, stressing that any resolution must prevent future conflicts in the region.
In contrast, Zelenskyy called for urgent dialogue on security guarantees essential for Ukraine as part of any future agreements to conclude the war with Russia. He articulated the urgency of planning a strategy to counteract Russian aggression, saying, “We want this very much, but we need real security guarantees.” This highlights Ukraine’s aim to not only end the conflict but to ensure long-term protection against potential threats.
Joining Vance in the discussions were Secretary of State Marco Rubio and special envoys Keith Kellogg and Morgan Ortagus, signaling significant U.S. involvement in the diplomatic process.
President Trump, during the conference, highlighted recent discussions with both Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin, indicating a shift toward negotiating an end to the hostilities. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent was the first senior official from the Trump administration to meet Zelenskyy in Kyiv since the start of Trump’s second term, reinforcing U.S. support for Ukraine.
Following his talks with Bessent, Zelenskyy noted that Ukraine would work on a framework to bolster security and economic ties with the United States, particularly concerning the country’s rare earth minerals. Trump mentioned that future U.S. assistance to Ukraine could be tied to these valuable resources, stating he desired equivalent returns for financial support offered to Ukraine.
“We are going to have all this money in there, and I say I want it back,” Trump remarked, highlighting his administration’s transactional approach to foreign aid. “They have essentially agreed to do that, so at least we don’t feel stupid,” he added, underscoring a new layer of negotiation dynamics involving natural resources.
Vance’s previous reluctance to engage with Zelenskyy at the last Munich conference was noted, as he stated he felt he wouldn’t gain new insights. However, this year marked a significant engagement, with Vance also holding meetings with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte and leaders from Germany and the UK to discuss the unfolding situation.
During his talks, Vance emphasized the necessity for European allies to boost their defense spending to 5% of their gross domestic product, reflecting a longstanding Trump administration demand for greater military self-reliance among NATO members.
He expressed concerns about threats to European stability, asserting, “The threat that I worry the most about vis-Ã -vis Europe is not Russia; it’s not China.” Instead, he pointed to internal issues, such as diminishing commitment to fundamental democratic values shared with the United States, as a more significant concern.
Vance criticized enforcement actions by European countries against their citizens, citing cases in Sweden and Britain that he viewed as detrimental to civil liberties. “I believe deeply that there is not security if you’re afraid of the voices and opinions that guide your people,” he said, capturing a keen observation about the intersection of democracy and security in Europe.
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