Global leaders are gathered in Munich to address the Ukraine conflict and other critical global issues.
The 61st Munich Security Conference (MSC) has commenced at Munich’s Hotel Bayerischer Hof. World leaders, policymakers, and security experts are convening to confront urgent global challenges, with a particular emphasis on the war in Ukraine.
German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier is slated to open the conference, initiating three days of crucial discussions on international security and geopolitical instability.
This year’s MSC is highly significant, occurring after the US presidential inauguration and before Germany’s upcoming general election on February 23.
Under the leadership of Ambassador Christoph Heusgen, who assumed the chairmanship in 2022, the conference will feature high-level dialogues on global governance, democratic strength, climate security, and transatlantic relations.
Key participants include US Vice President J.D. Vance, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
Donald Trump announced Thursday that US and Russian officials would meet in Munich on Friday, with Ukraine invited. However, Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky indicated he doesn’t anticipate talks with Russia during the MSC. Moscow has confirmed that no Russian officials received invitations to the three-day event.
Jens Stoltenberg will succeed Christoph Heusgen as the MSC chair on the conference’s final day.