Munich Security Conference: Macron says time to prepare 'peace terms' for Ukraine

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the Director general of the World Health Organization (WHO), said: "Our world is facing increasing levels of conflict, disasters, disease outbreaks and the climate crisis. These are all endangering global health security. Health and peace are key elements to a safer world." 

During his address, Macron even suggested that France might host a conference in Paris on Europe's air defence, and for massive investments in defence to combat challenges facing the continent. 

He said, "I hope that, with our German, Italian and British partners -- and all those who wish to join us in Europe -- we will be able to organise a conference in Paris on Europe's air defence." 

At the Munich Security Conference, which is running from February 17 to 19, Macron said that it was absolutely necessary to already begin preparing the terms of peace for Ukraine. But he also asked the allies to continue to back Ukraine in its fight against Russia. 

He told the security conference that "it's not the spirit of compromise, it's the spirit of responsibility", he further added that "we should prepare the terms" of peace. 

Macron has also urged the Western allies to intensify their support for a Ukrainian counter-offensive against Russia, and said France was prepared for a drawn-out conflict. 

He said, "We must intensify our support and our efforts to help (Ukraine) and allow a counter-offensive. We are ready for a prolonged conflict. That said, I don't want it."  

While speaking at the security conference, France's President Emmanuel Macron said that the time was not right for dialogue with Russia as Moscow is intensifying its attacks against Ukraine. 

He said, "It is not the time for dialogue because we have a Russia which has chosen war, which has chosen to intensify the war, and which has chosen to go as far as committing war crimes and to attacking civilian infrastructures." 

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz vowed sustained backing for Ukraine as Kyiv battles to repel Russian troops. 

"From the beginning on, our support is designed to last," he told the conference. 

Scholz added that allies with battle tanks available to send to Ukraine should "do so now". 

Zelensky urged allies to "hurry up" with their support for Kyiv, saying lives were in the balance.

"We need to hurry up. We need speed - speed of our agreements, speed of our delivery... speed of decisions to limit Russian potential. There is no alternative to speed because it is the speed that the life depends on," he told the Munich Security Conference.

In the opening address of the Munich Security Conference, Zelensky said that there's "no alternative to Ukrainian victory" and he also compared Russia to "Goliath", who came to destroy their lives. 

He said: "Next year, let's gather here in Munich for the post-war conference, for a free Europe and a free world." 

India on Friday (February 17) slammed financier George Soros for his attempt to undermine the democratic structure of the nation. 

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This year's security conference is significant as it will be held just days ahead of the Ukrane war anniversary. 

And also for the first time in two decades, Russian leaders were not invited to the Munich Security Conference. 

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's will is set to open with a video address. 

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and France's President Emmanuel Macron will speak at the opening event. 

The conference will be attended by US Vice President Kamala Harris and Secretary of State Antony Blinken, China's top diplomat Wang Yi and NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg. 

Major issues to discuss at the conference

-Russia's invasion of Ukraine
-Supply of weapons to Kyiv
-US-China tensions after spy balloon saga
-Climate change

The Munich Security Conference is a major annual global gathering focused on defence and diplomacy. The main purpose of the conference is to debate issues of global concern. 

The ongoing Russia-Ukraine war is expected to dominate this year's conference. The conference also aims at drawing the world's attention to the issues, geopolitical tensions, etc that might become big in the future. 

To analyse the European security amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine, top politicians, military officers and diplomats from around the world gathered in Munich on Friday. 

German Defence Minister Pistorius said that the conference is more important than ever.