Munich, Germany – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy issued an international plea for help on Saturday from the Munich Security Conference, warning of a complete collapse of his country’s energy infrastructure. He also sharply criticized the slow pace of Western political action in the face of Russia’s evolving arsenal.
A dark winter: “There is not a single functioning power station.”
Zelensky revealed the immense damage inflicted on Ukraine’s energy sector in recent weeks. He asserted that “there is not a single power plant left in Ukraine that has not been damaged by Russian airstrikes.” He further explained that the attacks have become systematically focused on key infrastructure, with the aim of completely crippling the country.
Criticism of allies: “Weapons are faster than politics.”
In a tone laced with reproach, the Ukrainian president called on the West to expedite the delivery of air defense missiles. He criticized international bureaucracy, noting that some vital shipments arrive “at the last minute.” Furthermore, he warned that “weapons are being developed at a faster pace than political decisions,” creating a gap on the ground that Moscow is exploiting.
Personal attack: “Putin is not a tsar”
In a direct attack on his Russian counterpart, Zelensky said that Vladimir Putin cannot abandon the idea of war because it has become synonymous with his existence. He stated, “Putin may think he is a tsar, but in reality, he is a lover of war and a prisoner of it.”
