MUNICH – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of seeking to replicate the 1938 Munich Agreement, warning that Putin’s ambitions extend beyond the division of Europe as previously signaled, but to a full-scale dismantling of the continent’s security architecture. Zelenskyy delivered the stark assessment during a speech at the Munich Security Conference on Saturday, February 14, 2026.
“Putin hopes to repeat Munich. But not Munich 2007, when he only spoke about dividing Europe, but Munich 1938, when Putin began to divide Europe in reality,” Zelenskyy stated, referencing Putin’s 2007 appearance at the same conference where he outlined a vision for Russia’s resurgence on the world stage.
Zelenskyy detailed the scale of ongoing Russian attacks, stating that Ukraine had been targeted by 6,000 drones of various types, including predominantly Shahed models, 150 missiles and 5,000 guided bombs in January alone. “And it is like this every month. Imagine something like this over your cities,” he implored the assembled world leaders.
The Ukrainian president also provided a grim assessment of the battlefield situation, claiming that Russia is losing an average of 156 soldiers – killed or severely wounded – for every kilometer of Ukrainian territory occupied in the Donetsk region. He asserted that Russian forces are currently mobilizing approximately 40,000 soldiers per month, but the influx is not translating into a significant increase in troop numbers at the front lines.
“The mission of our army is clear: to destroy more Russian occupants, because they are occupants. And the goal is specific: at least 50,000 per month,” Zelenskyy declared. He reported that Ukrainian forces eliminated 35,000 Russian soldiers in December, leading to a slight decrease in Russian offensive operations in January, with losses around 30,000.
Zelenskyy acknowledged the crucial support provided by allies, singling out the United States, Europe, and specifically the Czech Republic for their contributions. He expressed direct gratitude to Czech President Petr Pavel for his country’s leadership in organizing a munitions initiative to supply Ukraine with artillery ammunition. The initiative, initially threatened with cancellation by the new Czech governing coalition, will continue, though without direct financial contributions from Prague.
During a subsequent panel discussion, Zelenskyy indicated a willingness to hold presidential elections in Ukraine, contingent upon securing a two-month ceasefire. “Provide us with a ceasefire. President Trump can do it: force Putin, achieve a ceasefire. Then our parliament will change the law and we will go to elections,” he said, referencing reported pressure from former U.S. President Donald Trump to hold elections. Ukraine’s constitution currently prohibits elections even as the country is in a state of war.