The 2025 Munich Security Conference (MSC 2025) was the 61st edition of the Munich Security Conference. The event brought together government officials, military leaders, academics, and experts in the fields of international security and foreign policy. Held in Munich from February 14-16, 2025, the conference featured extensive discussions on global security issues and international relations.

_{61st Munich Security Conference, February 15, 2025 - MINDEF Singapore}

MSC 2025 served as a platform for debates on topics such as the Russia-Ukraine war, European security, the future of NATO, U.S.-Europe relations, crises in the Middle East, U.S.-China rivalry, climate security, and the impact of next-generation technologies on security policies.

Background

The Munich Security Conference was founded in 1963 by Ewald-Heinrich von Kleist to strengthen transatlantic cooperation in response to security threats posed by the Cold War. Initially focusing on military and strategic issues among NATO countries, the conference later evolved into a broader platform addressing global security policies.

The 61st Munich Security Conference took place amid an intense international security agenda. The fourth year of the Russia-Ukraine war, the start of Donald Trump’s second term as U.S. president, pressures on European nations to increase defense spending, ongoing conflicts in the Middle East, and U.S.-China tensions were the key issues dominating the event.

Date and Venue

The 61st Munich Security Conference was held from February 14-16, 2025, at the Hotel Bayerischer Hof in Munich, Germany.

_{61st Munich Security Conference, February 15, 2025 - Anadolu Agency}

Participants

The 61st Munich Security Conference hosted more than 50 heads of state and government, around 100 foreign and defense ministers, representatives from international organizations, academics, civil society organizations, and private sector leaders.

Notable attendees included German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, and U.S. Vice President JD Vance. Türkiye was represented by Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, National Intelligence Organization (MIT) Director İbrahim Kalın, Presidential Chief Advisor on Foreign Policy and Security Akif Çağatay Kılıç, and Minister of Treasury and Finance Mehmet Şimşek.

Key Agenda Items

The key agenda items of the 61st Munich Security Conference included:

• Russia-Ukraine war
• European security and the future of NATO
• Changing dynamics in U.S.-Europe relations
• Crises in the Middle East
• U.S.-China competition
• Climate security
• Artificial intelligence and global security threats

Discussions focused on continued military and political support for Ukraine, Europe’s need to increase defense spending, and the U.S.'s new foreign policy approach. Additionally, the establishment of a permanent ceasefire in Gaza and the transition process in Syria were among the significant topics debated.

Key Debates and Discussions

One of the most debated issues at the conference was the Russia-Ukraine war. Ukrainian President Zelensky emphasized the need to protect Ukraine’s sovereignty and stated that he would be open to talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin only after a joint peace plan was developed with the U.S. and Europe.

U.S. Vice President JD Vance criticized Europe’s migration policies and stance on freedom of expression, arguing that Europe should take greater responsibility for its own security. Meanwhile, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen warned that the EU would retaliate if the U.S. imposed tariffs on European goods.

Türkiye's National Intelligence Organization (MIT) Director İbrahim Kalın highlighted the fragile nature of the ceasefire in Gaza, stressing the need for a permanent solution. On the other hand, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova insisted that the agreements between Israel and Hamas should be strictly implemented and called for negotiations to achieve lasting peace.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi stated that China would respond to U.S. containment policies, but emphasized the importance of avoiding great power conflict. Andriy Yermak, Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, expressed that China should play a critical role in the peace process.

The conference witnessed significant discussions shaping the future of global security policies, yet no concrete consensus was reached among participants. By the end of the event, the necessity of increasing European defense spending and uncertainties in U.S.-Europe relations stood out as the dominant themes, while a clear roadmap for a permanent solution to the Russia-Ukraine war remained elusive.