KYIV, Ukraine — Next week, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will head the Ukrainian delegation at the Munich Security Conference. U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance and Keith Kellogg, the special envoy for Ukraine and Russia, are also anticipated to be in attendance, as indicated on Thursday by the chief of staff to President Zelenskyy.
Andriy Yermak, who will be present at the conference, revealed that the delegation from Ukraine aims to share the nation’s stance on resolving the ongoing conflict and discuss approaches to achieving “a long and lasting peace.” He emphasized the importance of the conference by stating that it is crucial for leaders and political experts to recognize the current momentum. He believes that Ukraine is close to a just resolution of the war but stresses the necessity for unity in order to prevent Russia from creating divisions among global partners.
The Munich summit serves as a vital platform for international discussions surrounding security issues and has gained added importance in light of the ongoing war initiated by Russia against Ukraine. This year’s conference holds particular significance for Ukraine as it continues to navigate its relationship with the new administration in the U.S., known to be a critical ally in the ongoing conflict that has lasted nearly three years.
During his recent election campaign, Donald Trump vowed to end the hostilities within 24 hours, later extending that timeframe to six months into his presidency. Nonetheless, both nations remain significantly apart in negotiations, leaving uncertainties regarding a possible ceasefire agreement.
According to Yermak, Ukraine intends to explore potential security guarantees to deter future aggressions from Russia during the Munich conference. While no specific date has been established for a meeting between Zelenskyy and Trump, Yermak affirmed that efforts are being made to arrange the meeting promptly.
Additionally, Yermak mentioned that Trump’s special envoy for Ukraine and Russia is scheduled to visit Kyiv following the Munich conference, around the end of February. In an effort to acquaint the new U.S. administration with the current situation, Ukrainians plan to provide Kellogg with detailed information regarding the on-ground circumstances, ongoing mobilization initiatives, and the state of military equipment delivery.
He stressed the importance of such consultations prior to the Trump administration making any strategic plans, stating that without Ukraine’s involvement in such preparations, it would be a significant misstep. Recently, Trump expressed his desire to negotiate access to Ukraine’s rare earth materials as a condition for sustained U.S. support in the conflict against Russia, which aligns with elements from Zelenskyy’s previously outlined victory plan.
Moreover, Trump claimed to have been informed by the Ukrainian government about their willingness to engage in discussions to facilitate U.S. access to these critical resources. Yermak remarked that, while no formal framework for discussion exists yet, Ukraine is contemplating a strategic partnership with the U.S. even beyond the conflict.
Yermak highlighted that Ukraine aspires for Americans to recognize its strategic importance, not solely for democratic sustainability during this challenging war but as a pivotal future partner.
In recent military developments, Ukrainian forces reportedly attacked an airfield in southern Russia used to deploy Iranian-designed Shahed drones. On the other hand, France confirmed that it has delivered its first batch of Mirage fighter jets to Ukraine, while the Netherlands provided additional F-16 aircraft.
The reported attack on the Primorsko-Akhtarsk airfield in Russia’s Krasnodar region ignited a fire, as outlined by Ukraine’s General Staff on Facebook. This facility is known for its operation and upkeep of drones that target Ukrainian regions such as Kherson and Zaporizhzhia. However, this claim could not be independently verified. The Russian Defense Ministry reported intercepting Ukrainian drones in the Krasnodar region without specifying the airfield’s location.
To enhance its military capabilities, Ukraine has been developing its own long-range drones as part of a strategy aimed at decreasing its reliance on Western assistance throughout the nearly three-year conflict with Russia. These drones have successfully struck various sites deep within Russia, including oil refineries and military installations.
France’s Armed Forces Minister announced the arrival of the first fighter jets promised to Ukraine by President Emmanuel Macron last June, although the number of planes delivered was not disclosed. Ukraine’s Defense Ministry also confirmed the arrival of further F-16s from the Netherlands, although specific details were not provided.
While several European countries previously supplied F-16s, these have generally received less mention in official discussions regarding the ongoing combat operations. Overnight, Russian forces launched a total of 77 drones, including Shahed models and two Iskander-M ballistic missiles against Ukraine. The Ukrainian air force reported the destruction of 56 drones, while 18 others were jammed mid-flight, although some buildings sustained damage, and there were no reports of fatalities.
