Ukraine Prepares for Talks at Munich Security Conference

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Ukraine Prepares for Talks at Munich Security Conference \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will lead Ukraine’s delegation at the Munich Security Conference, where U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance and special envoy Keith Kellogg will also attend. The conference is a key opportunity for Ukraine to establish relations with the new U.S. administration and discuss security guarantees against future Russian aggression. Meanwhile, Ukraine continues its military counteroffensive, striking a Russian airfield used for drone attacks, while France and the Netherlands deliver fighter jets to strengthen Ukraine’s defense.

Ukraine at Munich Security Conference: Quick Looks

Zelenskyy Leads Ukraine’s Delegation: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will attend the Munich Security Conference to discuss the war with Russia and security guarantees.
Key U.S. Officials Present: Vice President J.D. Vance and special envoy Keith Kellogg will represent the Trump administration, marking a shift in U.S.-Ukraine relations.
Ukraine Pushes for Long-Term Security Guarantees: Kyiv aims to secure commitments from allies to prevent future Russian aggression.
Trump’s Stance on Ukraine: Trump has hinted that U.S. support for Ukraine may depend on a deal granting America access to Ukraine’s rare earth minerals.
Kellogg’s Visit to Kyiv After Munich: Trump’s special envoy will travel to Kyiv to assess the battlefield situation and Ukraine’s military needs.
Ukraine Strikes Russian Airfield: A Ukrainian drone attack targeted a Russian base in Krasnodar, used to launch Shahed drones against Ukraine.
France and Netherlands Deliver Fighter Jets: France sent Mirage jets, and the Netherlands provided additional F-16s to strengthen Ukraine’s air force.
Russia’s Latest Attack: Russian forces launched 77 drones and two ballistic missiles at Ukraine overnight, with 56 drones intercepted.
No Set Date for Zelenskyy-Trump Meeting: Ukraine is pressing for talks, but a meeting between Zelenskyy and Trump has yet to be scheduled.
Will U.S. Policy Toward Ukraine Change? Ukraine is racing to establish ties with Trump’s administration, as uncertainty looms over future American military aid.

Deep Look

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is set to lead Ukraine’s delegation at the Munich Security Conference, a critical forum where world leaders and defense officials discuss global security challenges. The event is especially important for Ukraine as it works to build ties with the new U.S. administration under President Donald Trump, who has questioned ongoing American support for Kyiv’s war efforts.

Among the key U.S. figures attending are Vice President J.D. Vance and special envoy for Ukraine and Russia, Keith Kellogg. Their presence signals the Biden-to-Trump transition in U.S. foreign policy, which could reshape the level of support Washington provides to Kyiv in its nearly three-year war against Russia.

Ukraine’s Strategy: Aiming for “Just and Lasting Peace”

Andriy Yermak, Zelenskyy’s chief of staff, emphasized that Ukraine will use the conference to present its position on ending the war and ensuring a lasting peace.

“It’s crucial for world leaders and political experts in Munich to recognize that this is a pivotal moment,” Yermak said. “We are closer than ever to ending this war with a just and lasting peace—but unity among allies is essential to prevent Russia from dividing the world.”

One of Ukraine’s key goals at the summit is to discuss long-term security guarantees that would prevent future Russian aggression. Kyiv is also pushing for continued Western military aid, particularly advanced weaponry and air defenses.

Trump’s Position on Ukraine: A New Direction?

Ukraine’s participation in the Munich conference comes at a critical juncture, as it seeks to understand the Trump administration’s approach to the war.

During his election campaign, Trump promised to end the conflict in 24 hours, later revising that to six months. However, there are no clear details on how he intends to negotiate peace between Russia and Ukraine, especially given the wide gulf between the two nations’ positions.

In an intriguing development, Trump suggested that continued U.S. support for Ukraine may come with conditions—specifically, U.S. access to Ukraine’s rare earth minerals, which are essential to high-tech industries and military applications.

“I’ve received word that Ukraine is open to making a deal to allow U.S. access to these critical resources,” Trump said Monday.

Yermak confirmed that no formal framework for discussions on the topic exists yet but acknowledged that Ukraine sees a future strategic partnership with the U.S. beyond the war.

“We want the U.S. to see Ukraine not only as a democracy they helped defend but as a vital strategic partner in the years to come,” Yermak said.

Kellogg’s Upcoming Visit to Kyiv

Trump’s special envoy for Ukraine and Russia, Keith Kellogg, is expected to visit Kyiv after the Munich conference to gain firsthand knowledge of the battlefield situation.

Ukraine plans to provide Kellogg with detailed briefings on:

The status of weapons and equipment deliveries.
The effectiveness of ongoing mobilization efforts.
The situation on the front lines and Russian military movements.

“It’s critical that we hold consultations before the new U.S. administration makes any decisions,” Yermak said. “Ukraine must be involved in shaping any plan for the war’s resolution.”

Ukraine’s Military Operations: Strikes on Russian Airfields

As diplomacy unfolds, Ukraine continues its military operations against Russian forces.

On Thursday, Ukraine’s General Staff reported a successful long-range drone strike on a Russian airfield in Primorsko-Akhtarsk, located in Russia’s Krasnodar region.

The airfield is a key launch site for Iranian-designed Shahed drones, which Russia has used in attacks on Ukraine’s Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions.

Ukraine’s military claimed the strike ignited a fire at the facility, though independent verification was not immediately possible.
The Russian Defense Ministry confirmed that Ukrainian drones were intercepted over Krasnodar but did not acknowledge damage to the airfield.

Ukraine has increasingly relied on its own long-range drone program, targeting Russian oil refineries, weapons depots, and military infrastructure deep inside Russia.

New Fighter Jets Arrive in Ukraine

Ukraine’s air force capabilities received a boost this week, with the delivery of fighter jets from France and the Netherlands.

France confirmed that the first batch of Mirage fighter jets had arrived, fulfilling a promise made by President Emmanuel Macron last June.
The Netherlands also delivered additional F-16s, though the exact number was not disclosed.

Western fighter jets are expected to play a key role in Ukraine’s defense strategy, helping counter Russian aerial dominance and providing much-needed air support for ground operations.

Russia’s Latest Attacks: 77 Drones Launched Overnight

Meanwhile, Russian forces launched a massive overnight assault on Ukraine, using:

77 Shahed and other attack drones.
Two Iskander-M ballistic missiles.

Ukraine’s air force reported successfully destroying 56 drones, while 18 others were jammed and crashed before reaching their targets. Despite the high interception rate, some buildings were damaged, though no casualties were reported.

What’s Next?

As Ukraine prepares for the Munich Security Conference, several key developments will shape the future of U.S.-Ukraine relations:

Will the Trump administration continue strong military support for Ukraine?
Could U.S. access to rare earth minerals become a condition for aid?
How will Ukraine’s security guarantees be structured in a post-war scenario?
Will new fighter jets shift the battlefield momentum in Ukraine’s favor?

With diplomatic negotiations intensifying, military aid flowing in, and continued fighting on the front lines, Ukraine’s next steps will be crucial in determining the trajectory of the war.