Senior political figures have convened to discuss the Ukraine crisis and other issues at the annual meeting
The 61st Munich Security Conference (MSC) has officially begun at the Hotel Bayerischer Hof in Munich, Germany, bringing together senior politicians, analysts, Western media, and security experts to discuss global issues, with a significant focus on the conflict in Ukraine.
German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier is expected to open the event, setting the stage for the three-days gathering.
No Russian officials were invited to the event, the site of President Vladimir Putin’s famous 2006 speech, where he warned against NATO expansion.
This year’s MSC comes in the first days of US President Donald Trump’s administration and ahead of a crucial general election in Germany on February 23.
Trump announced on Thursday that US and Russian officials would meet in Munich on Friday, with Ukraine invited to participate. However, Ukraine’s Vladimir Zelensky stated that he does not expect to hold talks with Russia on the MSC sidelines.
Key attendees include US Vice President J.D. Vance, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
Former NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg will officially take over from Christoph Heusgen as the new chair of the Munich Security Conference on event’s final day.