At the 61st Munich Security Conference, US Vice President JD Vance and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky emphasized the urgency of securing a lasting peace deal with Russia as the war nears its third year.

Vance reaffirmed Washington’s commitment to achieving a “durable peace” that prevents future conflict in Eastern Europe. “We want a lasting peace, not one that will lead to renewed fighting in a few years,” he stated after his meeting with Zelensky. He assured further discussions on possible peace efforts in the coming weeks and months.

Zelensky, struggling to maintain US support amid shifting geopolitical dynamics, called the meeting with Vance the "first of many" and expressed Ukraine’s readiness for rapid progress toward a real and secure peace. He later wrote on X that a US envoy would soon visit Kyiv.

Meanwhile, Trump’s recent announcement of direct negotiations with Russian President Vladimir Putin has raised concerns in Kyiv about a potential shift in US policy. Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth have signaled that Ukraine might be excluded from NATO, further unsettling Ukrainian leadership. However, Vance suggested that Washington could still use “military leverage” against Russia to broker a deal.

Tensions escalated further as Ukraine’s air force reported that Russia launched 133 drones overnight, targeting northern regions near the Chernobyl nuclear plant. Zelensky condemned the attack as proof that “Putin is preparing for more war, not negotiations,” while Russia dismissed the claims as a “provocation” by Kyiv.

The Munich Security Conference, which runs until February 16, brings together 60 heads of state, 150 ministers, and key global leaders to discuss security challenges, climate security, and transatlantic relations, especially in light of Trump’s return to power.

At the 61st Munich Security Conference, US Vice President JD Vance and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky emphasized the urgency of securing a lasting peace deal with Russia as the war nears its third year.

Vance reaffirmed Washington’s commitment to achieving a “durable peace” that prevents future conflict in Eastern Europe. “We want a lasting peace, not one that will lead to renewed fighting in a few years,” he stated after his meeting with Zelensky. He assured further discussions on possible peace efforts in the coming weeks and months.

Zelensky, struggling to maintain US support amid shifting geopolitical dynamics, called the meeting with Vance the "first of many" and expressed Ukraine’s readiness for rapid progress toward a real and secure peace. He later wrote on X that a US envoy would soon visit Kyiv.

Meanwhile, Trump’s recent announcement of direct negotiations with Russian President Vladimir Putin has raised concerns in Kyiv about a potential shift in US policy. Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth have signaled that Ukraine might be excluded from NATO, further unsettling Ukrainian leadership. However, Vance suggested that Washington could still use “military leverage” against Russia to broker a deal.

Tensions escalated further as Ukraine’s air force reported that Russia launched 133 drones overnight, targeting northern regions near the Chernobyl nuclear plant. Zelensky condemned the attack as proof that “Putin is preparing for more war, not negotiations,” while Russia dismissed the claims as a “provocation” by Kyiv.

The Munich Security Conference, which runs until February 16, brings together 60 heads of state, 150 ministers, and key global leaders to discuss security challenges, climate security, and transatlantic relations, especially in light of Trump’s return to power.