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Ukrainian President Confirms Attendance At Munich Conference Despite Invasion Fears

February 19, 2022

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy will attend the Munich Security Conference on February 19, his office said, despite U.S. warnings of a Russian invasion.

Zelenskiy's office said in a statement that the president will return home later on the same day.

Zelenskiy's scheduled appearance at the conference had been under scrutiny as his country faces rising tensions with the Kremlin amid a massive buildup of Russian troops on its border.

But his office insisted that the situation in Ukraine's east "remains under full control."

The White House said on February 18 that it was up to Zelenskiy to decide whether to leave Ukraine to attend the security conference in the German city.

"Regardless of what decision he makes, he will have the support of the United States," White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki told reporters.

President Joe Biden echoed those comments when asked about a possible Zelenskiy trip to Munich at a White House news conference, saying it was the Ukrainian leader's decision whether to go or not.

But when asked if it was "wise" for Zelenskiy to go, Biden said that "in the pursuit of a diplomatic solution, it may not be. ... But it's his decision."

The Munich security gathering opened on February 18 with world leaders, top officials, policymakers, and security experts set to focus on the escalating crisis prompted by fears that Russia is preparing to invade Ukraine.

U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, and other leaders and senior officials are taking part in the security forum where a number of meetings on the sidelines are also scheduled.

Harris is scheduled to meet Zelenskiy on the sidelines of the event on February 19.

For the first time in years, Russia is not sending any official representative to the gathering.

Based on reporting by Reuters, AFP, dpa, and AP

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-zelenskiy- munich-conference-invasion/31711258.html

Copyright (c) 2022. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.