Munich Security Conference: Discussions about the future of Europe

Munich (dpa) – The future security architecture for Europe is the focus as the Munich Security Conference draws to a close. This issue will be discussed by Ulf Kristersson and Kaja Kallas, the heads of the Swedish and Estonian governments respectively, and EU chief diplomat Josep Borell, among others. At other events, Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko will be among those commenting on the consequences of the Russian war of aggression. Besides the Ukraine war, which is the topic dominating the three-day conference, an expert discussion of the situation in Israel, Palestine and the Middle East will also be on the agenda on Sunday – among others, former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert is expected in Munich.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had opened the Security Conference on Friday with a video address. Afterwards, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, French President Emmanuel Macron, China’s most senior foreign policy official Wang Yi and US Vice President Kamala Harris were among those speaking at the conference, which around 40 heads of state and government and nearly 100 ministers were expected to attend.

On Saturday, China’s most senior foreign policy official Wang Yi announced his own initiative to bring about an end to the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine. German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock praised the initiative, but ruled out any cession of territory to Russia. A just peace presupposes “that whoever violated the territorial integrity, namely Russia, withdraws their troops from the occupied country,” said Baerbock. “World peace is based precisely on the fact that we all recognise the territorial integrity and sovereignty of every country.”