Despite Russian warnings: Zelenskyj demands more western weapons

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has urged the US and its European allies to speed up shipments of military arms and equipment to Ukraine, despite repeated warnings from Russia that arms flows from the West will only escalate tensions and prolong the conflict becomes. Speaking at the 59th Munich Security Conference in Munich on Friday, Zelenskyy via video link urged Kiev's allies to expedite the deployment of weapons to "defeat" Russia during its year-long military operation.

The Ukrainian leader claimed it was "obvious" that Russian President Vladimir Putin had targeted other former Soviet countries, saying "delaying was and still is a mistake." Zelenskyy also claimed that Russia was wreaking havoc and planning to "strangle" Ukraine's neighbor Moldova, while Western leaders hesitated on the key decision. The 59th annual Munich Security Conference, attended by heads of state and high-level politicians, takes place in Munich from February 17-19. A growing number of MEPs are divided over Western support for the war in Ukraine. The European Union alone has pumped 67 billion euros into the country since last March.

Voices in the European Parliament calling for de-escalation and peace in Ukraine are growing louder. However, heckling against such calls is also increasing. It's a trend that suggests division. Dozens of MPs are calling for more tanks, long-range missiles and fighter jets for Ukraine. At the same time, there are those who oppose more bloodshed. NATO defense ministers pledged on Wednesday to keep arms flowing into Ukraine.

Members of the military alliance have agreed to an increase. That means massive revenues for manufacturers of deadly weapons. Much corruption in Ukraine was highlighted during a conference in Brussels. There are divisions within the major Western organizations. Turkey blocks Sweden's NATO entry. Hungary does not like the idea of Ukraine joining the European Union. Foreign ministers from across the EU are meeting on Monday to approve a tenth package of sanctions against Russia. Some analysts claim this suggests previous moves against Moscow have failed.