Impose sanctions now, they won’t help us after Russia attacks, says Ukraine leader
VOLODYMYR ZELENSKY, Ukraine’s president, yesterday called on Western countries to impose sanctions on Russia “now” as he made an impassioned plea for more help at the Munich Security Conference.
Questioning why the West was reluctant to impose preemptive sanctions despite its confidence that a Russian invasion was imminent, Mr Zelensky asked the world leaders and diplomats: “What are you waiting for? We don’t need your sanctions after the bombardment happens and after part of our country has been occupied,” he said.
Mr Zelensky travelled to Munich despite warnings from the US that Moscow could use the opportunity to try and oust him from power.
He emphasised that his country “does not think it needs to panic” and was trying to carry on as normal. But he also appealed for more concrete financial and military commitments.
While refusing to name names, he implied on several occasions that some countries were taking the threat more seriously than others. Accusing the West in general of following a misguided policy of appeasement, he appealed for “honest” answers on whether his country would be accepted into Nato and the EU.
Mr Zelensky held talks with Kamala Harris, the US vice-President, on the sidelines of the conference.
Ms Harris told the assembled security experts that the US would organise a “swift, severe and united” response in the event of further Russian incursions into Ukrainian territory.
“Not since the Cold War has this forum been convened under such dire circumstances,” she said intending to leave little doubt about the White House’s seriousness in its commitment to Eastern European allies.
She said that the US would “defend every inch on Nato territory” and added that a further 8,500 troops will be deployed in the event of an escalation.
The German delegation to the conference sought to downplay fears that Vladmir Putin had already made up his mind to start a war.
Olaf Scholz, the chancellor, told the conference that there were “indications” that Russia was still prepared to negotiate, while Annalena Baerbock, the foreign minister, said that “we don’t know yet” if an invasion is inevitable.
Ursula von der Leyen, the EU commission president, meanwhile accused the Kremlin of a “blatant attempt” to reshape the international order by force.