It is the first Munich security conference in the “turning point” proclaimed by Olaf Scholz (SPD) after Russia’s attack on Ukraine. On the opening day, the Federal Chancellor will speak in the Hotel Bayerischer Hof, the main topic of his speech: “Germany in the world”. He will then answer questions from the audience.
A total of 40 heads of state and government and almost 100 ministers from all over the world are taking part in the 59th Munich Security Conference. From Germany, in addition to Olaf Scholz, Federal Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock (Greens) and Federal Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD) are present. Contrary to what was initially envisaged, the federal government will not present a new national security strategy at the security conference. Baerbock and Scholz have not been able to come to an agreement so far.
The Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj is connected to Munich via video. US President Joe Biden is also not traveling, instead Vice President Kamala Harris is on site with a delegation of around 60 people. For the first time since the 1990s, no representatives from Russia were invited, and conference leader Christoph Heusgen also did not want Iran to attend. The event describes itself as “the center of international diplomacy”, it is also considered a huge contact exchange and a venue for informal talks.
Last year’s security conference (February 18-20, 2022) was dominated by fears that Russian President Vladimir Putin could have his army invade neighboring Ukraine in the near future. On February 24, the first tanks rolled across the border.
Follow Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s opening speech in the live stream above.
