After outrage, how did Zelensky unite the Ukrainian street behind him with his speech in Munich?

Ukraine -

Astonishment and then sharp criticism were met with the departure of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky from his country the day before yesterday, Saturday, to attend a side of the Munich Security Conference, especially in light of tension hanging over his country's borders and talk of an "imminent comprehensive invasion" of it.

US President Joe Biden was the most prominent critic, as was - of course - the case of opposition figures and leaders in Ukraine, in addition to a torrent of popular criticism, which was reflected on social media platforms.

Welcome and support after criticism

But this position changed radically in Ukraine after Zelensky's speech to the congresses, and his "transparent and frank" talk with them, according to his supporters and opponents.

It is noteworthy here that the speech was welcomed and supported by figures considered among the fiercest opponents and competitors.

Perhaps the most important thing they “liked” in the speech was his talk about the importance of imposing sanctions before the possible invasion, not after it, and that Ukraine is fighting in defense of the West and its values, and the latter should not be given support in this regard;

Also, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) made the mistake of delaying Ukraine's membership, until the latter became a trigger for Russia's aggression.

In this regard, former Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko, one of Zelensky's main rivals for power and popularity, wrote on Facebook, "If Russia decides to invade Ukraine, it certainly will not depend on Ukraine's will. We are dealing with a crazy person who is (Russian President Vladimir) Putin." .

"If Russia stops firing, then peace will come. If Ukraine stops shooting, as we are now presented with, then Ukraine will be finished," he added.

"I support President Zelensky's position, which was announced in Munich. Now that the Russian threat is growing every hour, I urge all political leaders to support the president's position. We need joint coordination. Our strength On the inside, strength is reflected on the outside.

The situation has also changed, and it has become consensual on social media, and may have been supported by the bombings in the eastern regions and fears of war, as well as the eighth anniversary of the killing of dozens of demonstrators in the 2014 protests in the capital, Kiev.

A message to the Germans before others

So, the crisis contributed to breaking the differences between large segments of politicians and the public in Ukraine, but some believe that it still divides Westerners, and that Zelensky's speech carried implicit messages to them.

International relations expert Andrei Pozarov says, "The crisis created a gap in relations between Kiev and Berlin in the first place, and another with Paris and Budapest."

And he explained, in an interview with Al Jazeera Net, "These countries avoid supporting Ukraine with qualitative and lethal weapons, refuse its membership in NATO, and grant it some "symbolic" aid, so they try to hold the stick in the middle under the pretext of avoiding war, and in the interest of special economic interests.

"But its position has become largely negative on Ukraine and the security of Europe, and on the unity of the European Union and NATO, especially since war is really at the door," he added.

Does the crisis unite the Westerners?

While the President of the Council of the European Union, Charles Michel, talks about the "strength and cohesion" of the Union, it remains certain that the latter, due to the opposition of some of the aforementioned countries and others that remain silent, is divided against itself over the Ukrainian crisis, as well as the case of NATO.

"German concerns are justified, and they relate to the need for Russian gas, the protection of economic relations, and the avoidance of the repercussions of the war on the continent," says Pozarov.

But he considers that "this position will change with the passage of time, especially since efforts for a diplomatic solution fail one after the other, in the face of an overwhelming Russian desire to escalate over Ukraine, and to show strength in front of Europe and America."