Zelensky calls for further sanctions at Munich Conference

President Volodymyr Zelensky called for new sanctions
to be laid against Russia before Russia further attacks Ukraine. Speaking at
the Munich Security Conference on Feb. 19, Zelensky also stated that unless
Russia signed to a Conference statement guaranteeing adherence to the Budapest
Memorandum, Ukraine would consider the memorandum void.

At the conference, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz
rejected Zelensky’s assertion that sanctions were required now, and stated that
the Kremlin should be “kept guessing” what sanctions would actually be applied
if Russia were to further invade Ukraine. 

German ambassador to Ukraine Anka Feldhusen claimed on
Ukraine 24 TV on Feb. 20 that the Budapest Memorandum does not have any formal
obligations under international law.

James Hydzik: While
Zelensky did not directly state that Ukraine would begin launching a nuclear
weapons program, the hint was strong enough to be covered by Russian media on
Feb. 20. Zelensky’s speech was also highly regarded both at the conference and
in Ukraine, though no official comment has been made about Ukraine’s
considering the memorandum void.

Feldhusen’s point is one that has come up at times
when the signatories’ behavior has come under question. Unfortunately, it’s hard
to hear the German ambassador essentially sticking up for the Russian position
on Ukrainian TV. Relations between Ukraine and Germany may have a sour tinge
for some time to come.