For “various reasons”: Russia boycotts the Munich Security Conference

For various reasons”
Russia boycotts Munich Security Conference

The Munich Security Conference must take place this year without a delegation from Moscow. According to the Russian Foreign Ministry, the expert meeting has lost its objectivity. Meanwhile, a commitment has come from the White House: US Vice President Harris will travel to Germany.

In the midst of serious tensions in the Ukraine conflict, Russia wants to stay away from the Munich Security Conference this time. For “various reasons” no representatives of the Russian government would attend, said Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova. The world’s most important security policy expert meeting has lost its objectivity. “We regret to say that the conference has increasingly turned into a transatlantic forum in recent years,” said Zakharova.

Meanwhile, US Vice President Kamala Harris will travel to the Munich Security Conference in mid-February. The White House said Harris wanted to demonstrate his “iron commitment” to NATO allies and underline his “commitment to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine.” It would also be about reaffirming the common interest in upholding the principles that have underpinned peace and security in Europe since the Second World War.

In the Ukraine conflict, Russia is demanding binding security guarantees from the West. In letters to Moscow, NATO and the USA had already rejected central concerns of Moscow, but had shown themselves willing to talk. Specifically, Russia is demanding an end to NATO’s eastward expansion, which it sees as a threat to its security.

Conference leader Wolfgang Ischinger had previously stated that he assumed that the US Vice President would come to the most important security policy expert meeting on February 18-20. Accordingly, in addition to Harris, Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Selenskyj, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen are expected.

The security conference only met virtually last year due to the corona pandemic. This year it is to take place again in person. Strict conditions apply to the event in the luxury hotel Bayerischer Hof. Instead of the usual more than 2000 participants, this time only 600 are admitted. Every participant has to do a PCR test every day, everyone has to be vaccinated.

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