Ukraine president Volodymyr Zelenskiy stated that he wanted the world powers to meet, and discuss securing certain guarantees for his country as the current global system no longer suited the purpose, Reuters reported. 

Ignoring suggestions from US officials to stay in Ukraine, President Zelenskiy travelled to Germany to attend the Munich Security Conference, where he asked NATO members to be transparent about wanting Ukraine to join the organization, as per Reuters.

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The 44-year-old leader clarified, “The rules that the world agreed on decades ago no longer work. They do not keep up with new threats. Not effective for overcoming them. This is a cough syrup when you need a coronavirus vaccine”, according to Reuters. The agency also reported him saying, “The security system is slow. It crashes again. Because of selfishness, self-confidence, irresponsibility of states at the global level”. 

At the same time, the president noted that if the West wished to impose sanctions on Russia, now would be the best time to do so, rather than wait for the invasion to begin, Reuters reported. The agency also noted him mentioning how sanctions wouldn’t be much help once bombs started falling on Ukraine. 

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Zelenskiy took this opportunity to draw attention to the apparent appeasement policy the West has maintained with Russia, Reuters reported. The agency quoted him saying, “Fifteen years ago, it was here that Russia announced its intention to challenge global security. What did the world say? Reconciliation. Result? At least – the annexation of Crimea and aggression against my state”. 

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The situation with Russia is growing tense at the border. While the US has claimed an invasion is imminent, this has been downplayed by Ukraine, Reuters reported. However, the agency also noted Ukraine saying they’re prepared for any eventuality. 

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Russia has rubbished claims of any invasion plans but has sought its own security measures from NATO. These include blocking Ukraine’s entry into NATO and the latter reducing military presence in eastern Europe. 

Speaking of joining NATO, Reuters quoted Zelenskiy saying, “If not all members of the alliance want to see us or all members of the alliance do not want to see us, be honest. Open doors are good, but we need open answers, not closed questions for years”.