Zelensky in Berlin: Russia has decided a peaceful, united Europe is its enemy
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky told the Berlin Security Conference that Russia views Europe as an enemy, and urged Germany to take on a bigger role in the continent's security.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said at the Berlin Security Conference in the German capital that Russia sees a peaceful, united Europe as its enemy. He stressed that European security is closely tied to Ukraine's war with Russia and called on Germany to take on greater responsibility.
Warning about Russian military infrastructure
Zelensky said Russia has already made its choice and that the situation will not disappear within a year. He pointed to the military infrastructure Russia has been building in recent years, saying its scale is too large to be intended only for Ukraine and that it is directed against Europe.
The president added that other countries now see Europe as a source of security, though so far largely a potential one. In his view, there is still a chance that the United States will remain part of the security alliance so important to Europe.
Appeal to Germany
Zelensky acknowledged that the situation for Ukraine is extremely difficult, but said the country will never surrender, will always be strong and will always be European. He suggested the role of the United States in the world could shrink further, so Europe's role must grow, and that this is impossible without Germany. He said freedom and security in Europe are not possible without Germany's will and strength.
What came before
Zelensky arrived in Berlin with his team on Tuesday, 3 November. Steve Witkoff, the US president's special envoy, had earlier announced that a meeting between the American team and representatives of France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the EU and NATO would take place in Brussels this week, with security guarantees for Ukraine among the topics. NATO confirmed the meeting.
Witkoff also said that trilateral talks on ending the Russia-Ukraine war would be held next week in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates. Zelensky said earlier that, after European leaders spoke with the head of the Kremlin, there was a sense that Russia was serious about a meeting of negotiating teams.
