Munich Security Conference: Who are the participants, what topics will be discussed, and what can we expect?
Today, February 14, the 61st Munich Security Conference 2025 kicks off in Munich, Germany, and will last for three days. More than 60 leaders from countries and governments will be in attendance, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, reports UNN.
Details
The Munich Security Conference is an annual international conference held in Munich every February since 1963, where politicians, military officials, business representatives, non-governmental organizations, and security experts discuss pressing security issues, free from diplomatic and protocol requirements. The main goal of the conference is to address current issues in foreign policy, security, and defense.
As organizers point out, this year's Munich Security Conference takes place at a significant moment, with a new administration being introduced in the U.S., a new legislative period beginning in Brussels, and federal elections scheduled in Germany next week.
The conference will be opened by German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, and Christoph Heusgen, who has chaired the conference since 2022, will preside over the event.
On the final day of the conference, Christoph Heusgen was expected to be succeeded by former NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg. However, since he has been invited to head Norway's Ministry of Finance, Stoltenberg will be unable to take on this role.
The conference program consists of three parts: in addition to the main agenda, there will be around 200 official side events and dozens of public activities.
The full list of conference participants is not yet confirmed; however, UNN reported that U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance plans to meet with President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky at the Munich Security Conference.
Vance and Zelensky to meet at the Munich Security Conference10.02.25, 01:24 • 62644 views
It was also previously reported that Kit Kellogg, Trump's special representative for Ukraine and Russia, will present U.S. President Donald Trump's plan for ending the war in Ukraine during the Munich Conference.
Overall, it has been stated that more than 60 heads of state and government and 150 ministers will attend the conference.
The Ukrainian delegation at the Munich Security Conference will present views on how to achieve a "lasting and sustainable peace." The delegation will be led by President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Participation is also expected from European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola, European Council President Antonio Costa, and the European Union's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaia Kalas.