Zelensky Warns Weapons Outpacing Diplomacy

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has warned that military technology is advancing faster than political efforts to end Russia’s invasion, describing it as Europe’s deadliest conflict since World War II.

Speaking at the Munich Security Conference on Saturday, Zelensky highlighted the increasing lethality of Iranian-designed Shahed drones used by Russian forces. “Weapons evolve faster than political decisions meant to stop them,” he said, urging quicker delivery of Western air defence systems, sometimes arriving only moments before Russian strikes.

Zelensky also detailed the toll of attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. “There is not a single power plant left in Ukraine that has not been damaged by Russian attacks. Not one,” he said. These strikes have forced millions to endure heating shortages amid the cold winter. Despite the destruction, he praised the resilience of Ukraine’s workforce, noting that the country continues to generate electricity.

Addressing the Russian leadership, Zelensky described President Vladimir Putin as “a slave to war,” comparing him to Adolf Hitler and saying: “He may see himself as a tsar, but in reality he is a slave to war.”

The remarks came days ahead of the fourth anniversary of Moscow’s invasion, which has killed hundreds of thousands, devastated eastern Ukraine, and displaced millions. Kyiv and its Western allies accuse Moscow of targeting the energy grid to deliberately freeze Ukraine’s population.

Zelensky’s address underscored Ukraine’s call for faster international support as the conflict shows no sign of abating.