In a speech at the Munich Security Conference on February 14, 2023, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed strong opposition to the notion of territorial concessions as a means to achieving peace in the ongoing conflict with Russia. He articulated that surrendering parts of Ukraine would not resolve the situation, much like the Munich Agreement in 1938 did not prevent World War II. Zelensky emphasized that believing such concessions could lead to peace is an illusion, a sentiment that draws a historical parallel to the catastrophic outcomes of appeasing aggressive powers.

Zelensky specifically pointed to the historical context of the Munich Agreement, where leaders from Nazi Germany, the United Kingdom, France, and Italy permitted Hitler to annex Czechoslovakia under the misguided hope that this would avert a larger conflict. He warned that attempting to divide Ukraine to satisfy Russian demands would only embolden aggressors rather than securing a lasting peace. As negotiations continue among Russia, Ukraine, and the United States, the stakes remain high, with Russia insisting on Ukraine retreating from territories in Donetsk.

By comparing current tensions to the past, Zelensky aims to convey the importance of steadfastness against territorial ambition and to rally international support against the aggressiveness of Putin’s regime. His remarks serve as a clarion call for unity against appeasement, advocating for a more robust response to assert Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity.