Zelenskiy Urges Faster Arms Delivery Amid Continued Western Support for Ukraine

At the Munich Security Conference, French President Emmanuel Macron delivered a provocative speech, but Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy’s urgent questions regarding the speed of Western arms support went largely unanswered. Zelenskiy, now a year into the war, once again made a direct appeal to the West, urging them to accelerate military assistance to Ukraine in the face of a growing Russian offensive.

Reflecting on the previous year, Zelenskiy recalled his appearance at the 2022 conference, where, dressed in a suit and tie, he warned the West of the looming threat of a full-scale Russian invasion. His speech was blunt, highlighting the past appeasement of Russia by Western powers and emphasizing that indifference toward Ukraine had effectively made countries complicit in Russia’s aggression. He also reiterated Ukraine’s desire for clear answers regarding its potential NATO and EU membership.

Despite the growing sense of urgency, Macron’s remarks appeared more reserved, and some of Zelenskiy’s most pressing concerns—such as the need for security guarantees and accelerated arms shipments—remained unaddressed. In particular, Zelenskiy pointed to the delayed response to his earlier requests for weapons, including a pointed reference to Germany’s initial promises of support, which had been far less than what was needed.

A year ago, many leaders at the Munich conference held a “glimmer of hope” that war could be avoided, as recalled by the conference chair, Christoph Heusgen. However, the rapid Russian invasion a week later shattered those hopes, and the West has since struggled to meet Ukraine’s growing demands for military aid.