Ukraine conflict and NATO challenges: Munich Security Conference: As it happened
The 61st Munich Security Conference (MSC) concluded at the Hotel Bayerischer Hof in Munich, Germany, with the primary topic being the conflict in Ukraine.
No Russian officials were invited to the event, the site of President Vladimir Putin’s famous 2007 speech warning against NATO expansion.
On the first day of the event, key attendees included US Vice President J.D. Vance, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius. Each delivered speeches that centered on the Ukraine conflict and security in Europe. Vance’s controversial address critiqued European leaders, accusing them of being afraid of their own voters. He argued that the primary security issue on the continent is not China or Russia, but rather Europe’s abandonment of its core values.
Ukrainian and US delegations met on the sidelines of the conference, with Zelensky stating that he is ready to move as quickly as possible toward a real and guaranteed peace. He also said he would meet with only one Russian, Putin, but only when he has a joint plan with the US president and Europe.
The live stream has ended.
14 February 2025
19:38 GMTUkrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky and US Vice President J.D. Vance have discussed an agreement on access to Ukraine’s minerals, but no deal was struck. “Our teams will continue to work on the document,” Zelensky wrote on X, adding that he had had a “good meeting” with Vance and that Kyiv was “ready to move… as quickly as possible towards a real and guaranteed peace.”
Two members of the Ukrainian delegation told Reuters that “some details” of the mineral agreement still needed to be worked out.
- 19:37 GMT
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock has warned US Vice President J.D. Vance at the Munich Security Conference that a “sham peace” in Ukraine would provoke further Russian aggression and threaten Europe’s security.
Baerbock also stated that there would be no cooperation with President Vladimir Putin’s Russia, in response to the US President Donald Trump’s willingness to allow Russia back into the Group of Seven (G7) nations.
- 19:36 GMT
The US delegation at the Munich Security Conference has presented Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky with a document granting Washington rights to 50% of the country’s future mineral reserves. Zelensky “politely declined to sign it,” a Washington Post journalist wrote on X, citing multiple lawmakers.
Multiple lawmakers here in Munich told me the U.S. Congressional delegation presented Zelensky with a piece of paper they wanted him to sign which would grant the U.S. rights to 50% of Ukraine’s future mineral reserves. Zelensky politely declined to sign it. #MSC2025
— Josh Rogin (@joshrogin) February 14, 2025 - 18:18 GMT
US Vice President J.D. Vance has insisted on the start of direct negotiations between Ukraine and Russia, following his talks with Vladimir Zelensky. “It's important for us to get together and start to have the conversations that are going to be necessary to bring this thing to a close,” he said.
Q: "How does this move forward if Ukraine is not ready to come to the table with Putin...will you still negotiate?"VP Vance: "It's important for us to get together and start to have the conversations that are going to be necessary to bring this thing to a close." pic.twitter.com/1JAlX99iLz
— CSPAN (@cspan) February 14, 2025 - 17:37 GMT
US Vice President J.D. Vance and Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky have said they had a good conversation on the sidelines of the Munich security conference, with Vance emphasizing that Washington's goal is sustainable peace in Ukraine.
- 17:24 GMT
Russia-Ukraine peace negotiations could be a turning point for EU-US relations, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius has told the conference “The United States is pushing for a quick peace settlement between Russia and Ukraine. They expect Europe to take the lead in securing any agreement that follows. These negotiations can be a turning point for our continent and transatlantic relations. A historic turning point that can go in very different directions,” Pistorius said.
- 17:04 GMT
US Vice President J.D. Vance and Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky are now meeting privately on the sidelines of the Munich security conference.
- 16:35 GMT
Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky has confirmed that he has US President Donald Trump’s personal phone number, following a call between the two on Thursday. “Yes, he gave me his telephone number,” Zelensky said at an event at the Munich Security Conference on Friday, adding that Trump had told the Ukrainian leader “You can call anytime.”
- 15:56 GMT
Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky has threatened to create his own “NATO in Ukraine” if Kiev does not receive an invitation to join the US-led bloc.
Speaking at the Munich Security Conference on Friday, Zelensky stated that Washington never actually intended to invite Kiev into NATO and only spoke about it. Previously, US President Donald Trump had signaled that Ukraine’s membership in the bloc was unrealistic.
Zelensky went on to suggest that Ukraine will need to double the size of its army if doesn’t get into the bloc.
