<br><br>**Zelenskyy Calls Putin Slave to War in Scathing Munich Speech**<br><br>MUNICH - In a powerful speech delivered at the Munich Security Conference on Saturday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy denounced Russian President Vladimir Putin as a slave to war. Zelenskyy also drew parallels between the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict and the 1938 Munich Agreement, which allowed Hitler to annex parts of Czechoslovakia.<br><br>**Confronting the Reality**<br><br>Zelenskyy's remarks came just days before the fourth anniversary of Moscow's invasion of Ukraine. The war has claimed hundreds of thousands of lives, decimated eastern Ukraine, and forced millions to flee. Kyiv and its Western allies have accused Russia of deliberately targeting Ukraine's energy grid in an effort to freeze the country's population.<br><br>There is not a single power plant left in Ukraine that has not been damaged by Russian attacks, Zelenskyy said, emphasizing the devastating impact of Moscow's actions. Not one. Despite these challenges, Ukraine continues to generate electricity, with thousands of workers repairing damaged plants.<br><br>**Seeking Security Guarantees**<br><br>Zelenskyy also met with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on the sidelines of the Munich conference. Russia has demanded that Ukraine withdraw from its Donetsk region and recognize Moscow's claims to occupied Ukrainian territory. Ukraine has ruled out surrendering its eastern regions.<br><br>Regarding the ongoing talks, Zelenskyy stated The Americans often return to the topic of concessions, and too often those concessions are discussed in the context only of Ukraine. He warned that it would be an illusion to believe that dividing Ukraine could end the war. Instead, he emphasized the need for viable security guarantees to prevent future Russian aggression.<br><br>**A Path Forward**<br><br>Zelenskyy reiterated his call for European countries to have a seat at the negotiating table, which Russia has opposed. He also urged Western allies to make faster political decisions, noting that weapons are evolving faster than diplomatic efforts to stop them. The Ukrainian president warned that Iranian-designed Shahed drones used by Russia had become increasingly deadly.<br><br>**Conclusion**<br><br>In conclusion, Zelenskyy emphasized the importance of finding a lasting solution to the conflict. He stated With Russia, you cannot leave a single loophole Russians can use to start a war. Reiterating his commitment to holding elections in Ukraine once security guarantees and a ceasefire have been agreed, he expressed optimism about the potential for progress.<br><br>As we look to the future, it is clear that the journey ahead will be complex and challenging. However, with leaders like Zelenskyy at the helm, there is reason to be hopeful about the prospects for peace and progress.
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