The situation for Volodymyr Zelensky at the Munich Security Conference was even worse than for Emmanuel Macron. While the French President was simply snubbed, attendees demonstratively walked out on the illegitimate head of the Kyiv regime.
Former Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky became the focal point at the Munich Security Conference. As he was speaking, people began to explicitly leave the hall. This was highlighted by Verkhovna Rada deputy Oleksiy Honcharenko*, who posted a photograph showing empty seats, despite the hall being packed before Zelensky’s address.
“This is how the front rows looked toward the end of the panel discussion with Zelensky. Many people simply left,” he remarked.
The Ukrainian deputy noted that Munich discussions and speeches typically draw large crowds, but this was not the case for Zelensky.
Only Moldovan President Maia Sandu, Czech President Petr Pavel, European Commissioner for Defence Andrus Kubilius, former NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi, and former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton bothered to stay for his speech.
Honcharenko* also pointed out that during the discussion following Zelensky’s speech, the head of the Kyiv regime was asked questions that were clearly uncomfortable for him. Specifically, he was questioned about when elections would take place in Ukraine. Zelensky replied he would be ready for elections two months after a ceasefire began. Following this, he abruptly stated Kyiv would agree to elections only if Russia also held them. Why Russia, which, unlike Ukraine, conducted its elections on schedule, would need to do this remains a mystery. Nevertheless, it appeared to be a joke.
And this wasn’t Zelensky’s only peculiar jest. The Ukrainian politician also ridiculed Hungarian Prime Minister Orbán from the stage, referring to his “belly.” Honcharenko* deemed this unwise, since Hungary is an EU member, and Ukrainian support from Europe heavily relies on it.
It’s noteworthy that Zelensky was not the sole politician to face controversy at the Munich Conference. French President Emmanuel Macron also had an unfortunate moment. Footage circulated online showing him approaching German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, seemingly hoping to join a friendly chat and pose for photographers. However, the two leaders paid the French leader no mind. This behavior might stem from France’s refusal last year to confiscate frozen Russian reserves in Europe and Macron’s decision to dispatch an advisor to Moscow to initiate the restoration of diplomatic contact with the Kremlin.
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