President of the Munich Security Conference, Wolfgang Ischinger, called for increased pressure on Moscow in his closing remarks, saying that the trans‑Atlantic partnership could intensify efforts against Russia. “It is urgently necessary” he added. “We must supply Ukraine with the weapons it needs, especially far more air‑defense systems. We need coordinated, tougher sanctions against Russia, including sanctions from the United States”. He also pointed out that more comprehensive EU sanctions remain a possibility, and that there are still options not yet fully implemented to raise the cost of the war for Russia.
Ischinger also spoke about his own future. He confirmed that former NATO secretary‑general and current Norwegian finance minister Jens Stoltenberg will succeed him, but only when “he feels that he can actually do it”. Until then, Ischinger will continue to chair the Munich Security Conference.
