The Ukraine issue and former US President Donald Trump's remarks towards NATO members are expected to come to the fore in the focus of discussion at the traditional Munich Security Conference held in Germany.
“I am sure we can all agree that we are facing more conflicts, crises and challenges than almost ever before in the 60-year history of the conference,” says Conference Director Christoph Heusgen.
“In every situation, we try to find glimmers of light and think about solutions on how to get out of the conflict,” said Christoph Heusgen.
Organizers did not invite official representatives from Russia this year either. For this reason, it is stated that the discussion in Munich will primarily revolve around how to provide more support to Ukraine.
All eyes were particularly focused on the American participants, namely Vice President Kamala Harris and Secretary of State Antony Blinken. It is also expected that former US President Donald Trump's statements that he will encourage Russia to "do whatever it takes" regarding NATO countries that do not invest enough in their defense will overshadow other issues at the conference.
Among the participants of the conference is Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. This year, since Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj will be in Munich this time, the conference is expected to focus mainly on the war in Ukraine. Zelensky had been attending the conference via video link from Kiev for twelve years.
Almost all key figures will be present in Munich, including the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Qatar and Jordan, except for Iranian foreign minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian. In addition to Israeli President Isaac Herzog and Foreign Minister Israel Katz, the three freed hostages Raz Ben Ami, Adi Shoham and Aviva Siegel will also attend the opening ceremony.
The conference in Munich will last all weekend.