Zelensky outlines Ukraine's security guarantee expectations

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky detailed these expectations in his speech at the Munich Security Conference on Saturday, Ukrinform reports.

"Stronger sanctions. Not if they [Russian troops] invade again -- just stronger sanctions at the very beginning. Then […] it is really difficult for Ukraine and Ukrainian soldiers to hold such a long border. That's why we need a big army. I shared this yesterday [in a meeting with U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance]," Zelensky said.

He explained that Ukraine requires an army comparable in size to Russia's, which has between 1.3 and 1.5 million soldiers.

"We need money for this. […] Even today, we face a massive annual deficit of $40 billion. So first funding, then weapons and a missile package, as was written in the Victory Plan," Zelensky said.

He said that Ukraine would not use long-range missiles, but these systems should be located on its territory: "If Putin begins a new invasion, we will use it."

Zelensky also stated his openness to the deployment of European troops, but noted that details still need to be discussed.