Leading politicians, diplomats and security experts are gathering today at the Munich Security Conference, which is taking place against the backdrop of significant changes in US policy towards the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, DPA reports, BTA reports.
One of the most closely watched speeches during the three-day meeting will be that of US Vice President J.D. Vance, which will also be attended by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who is among the 60 leaders at the conference, warned against any peace talks between the US and Russia if Ukrainians and Europeans are not included in them. The comments followed a private phone call between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The Munich Security Conference, considered one of the world's most important security forums, is attended by more than 100 ministers.
German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier will open the event in the early afternoon, while European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will deliver a speech later in the day.
The main topics on the conference agenda will be not only the situation in Ukraine, but also problems in Israel and the Palestinian territories, where Trump has proposed resettling all residents of the Gaza Strip and allowing the US to take control of the region. In addition, the situation in Syria, where Islamist rebel groups have recently taken power, as well as other important global issues will be discussed.
A number of discussions will also address global financial systems, the sustainability of democracies, climate change, nuclear security and the future of artificial intelligence.
Bulgaria is represented at the conference by President Rumen Radev and Minister of Foreign Affairs Georg Georgiev.