Shadow Of Ukraine War Looms Over Security Conference
The Guardian Weekly|February 23, 2024
On the top floor of Literaturhaus in Munich, the Ukrainian veteran Yuliia Paievska was asked to speak to the elite of the transatlantic security and political establishment, including Hillary Clinton and the Estonian prime minister, Kaja Kallas, as they lunched on a three-course meal, served with military precision.
Patrick Wintour 
Shadow Of Ukraine War Looms Over Security Conference

"We are the dogs of war," Paievska said as she introduced herself, explaining how she had started out as a volunteer and then worked as the chief medic at a hospital on the frontline during the siege of Mari- upol. "I had children die in my hands, civilians, elderly. I do not know how you can forgive that. Thousands of soldiers have gone through my hands, thousands of civilians, streams of blood, rivers of suffering."

She had herself been captured, beaten and tortured, and said every day had been a psychological and physical humiliation. "War, you know, it drinks our blood. It is never satisfied with our blood. It is always hungry. The more you give, the more she wants. But we made a commitment to our people.

She haltingly ended with an appeal. "To stop the war, we need to kill the war. Give us weapons to murder the war. We will manage, just help us a little bit."

It was a moment when those at the Munich Security Conference, a meeting of western politicians, defensive officials and academics, sensed what was at stake. It rephrased the question that the Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, had put to the conference. In phraseology reminiscent of President John F Kennedy, he had said: "Please don't ask Ukraine when the war will end. Ask yourself why Putin is still able to wage this war."

With Alexei Navalny dead, the Ukrainians retreated from Avdiivka, the US Congress deadlocked over supplying a further $60bn in aid and the shadow of Donald Trump's return to the White House hovering over any discussion, Zelenskiy's question could not have been more pertinent.

This story is from the February 23, 2024 edition of The Guardian Weekly.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the February 23, 2024 edition of The Guardian Weekly.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM THE GUARDIAN WEEKLYView All
Easter Island Monoliths Face Up To New Climate Extremes
The Guardian Weekly

Easter Island Monoliths Face Up To New Climate Extremes

The Ahu Tahai moai, on the east side of Rapa Nui, also known as Easter Island, is an impressive 4.5 metres high.

time-read
3 mins  |
May 31, 2024
From Bad To Worse How Early Election Backfired On PM
The Guardian Weekly

From Bad To Worse How Early Election Backfired On PM

Two days after Rishi Sunak stood in Downing Street to announce an early general election, only for the heavens to open, Tory MPs were still scratching their heads in disbelief.

time-read
5 mins  |
May 31, 2024
Secrets Of The World's Most Trusting Country
The Guardian Weekly

Secrets Of The World's Most Trusting Country

In Danish society, people feel safe enough to leave their babies and bikes out on the street. How did they get to this point?

time-read
6 mins  |
May 31, 2024
Ukraine Can Recover With Bolder Support - But Now It's On The Ropes
The Guardian Weekly

Ukraine Can Recover With Bolder Support - But Now It's On The Ropes

The mood in Ukraine is sombre these days.

time-read
4 mins  |
May 31, 2024
Stark Warning ICJ Ruling Is Third Blow In A Week For Israel As Isolation Grows
The Guardian Weekly

Stark Warning ICJ Ruling Is Third Blow In A Week For Israel As Isolation Grows

The provisional measures issued by the international court of justice (ICJ) ordering an immediate halt to Israel's military operation in the southern Gaza city of Rafah represent the starkest warning yet to Israel that its offensive risks creating conditions that could be framed as potentially genocidal.

time-read
3 mins  |
May 31, 2024
Why I Took To Cannes' Red Carpet To Call Out Sexual Violence
The Guardian Weekly

Why I Took To Cannes' Red Carpet To Call Out Sexual Violence

The 77th Cannes film festival reached its climax on Saturday when all eyes were on the Croisette, as the winners of the prestigious Palme d'Or were announced.

time-read
3 mins  |
May 31, 2024
From mains to a sweet treat, how to serve up a thrill from the grill
The Guardian Weekly

From mains to a sweet treat, how to serve up a thrill from the grill

If you don't have a kamado-style barbecue, what interesting things can you make on a simple grill?

time-read
2 mins  |
May 31, 2024
Points of origin
The Guardian Weekly

Points of origin

Two takes on Covid's early days-one aimed at academics, the other a 'documentary novel' that mixes fiction and fact to powerful effect

time-read
3 mins  |
May 31, 2024
Life after lava
The Guardian Weekly

Life after lava

Icelanders are famously hardy, but after a series of volcanic eruptions set houses alight and opened up 20-metre-deep fissures in Grindavík, the fishing town near the famous Blue Lagoon, residents are asking if they'll ever be allowed back home

time-read
10+ mins  |
May 31, 2024
How Church of England's slavery ties went to top of hierarchy
The Guardian Weekly

How Church of England's slavery ties went to top of hierarchy

An archbishop of Canterbury in the 18th century approved payments for the purchase of enslaved people for two sugar plantations in Barbados, documents seen by the Observer have revealed.

time-read
3 mins  |
May 31, 2024