Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Thursday delivered a speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos, saying Europe was failing to act decisively on its own security and remained stuck in a cycle of delay. He compared Ukraine’s situation to the film Groundhog Day, where the same day repeats again and again.
“No one would want to live like that, repeating the same thing for weeks and months and of course, four years,” Zelenskyy said. “That’s exactly how we live now. And it’s our life.”
He reminded the audience that he had said the same thing at Davos last year. “Just last year here in Davos, I ended my speech with the words Europe needs to know how to defend itself. A year has passed and nothing has changed. We are still in a situation where I must say the same words.”
Zelenskyy said Europe “hasn’t even tried to build its own response” on defence and security. While some countries have started investing more in security, he pointed out that many only met their defence spending commitments after pressure from US President Donald Trump. “What message does this send to Putin, to China?” he asked.
He questioned symbolic military moves, saying sending “40 soldiers to protect Greenland won’t make a difference”. Zelenskyy said Ukraine has the experience to defend such regions. “We know how to fight there,” he said. “We would solve the problem if we were in Nato, but we are not.”
'Mudaro is on trial, Putin is not'
Turning to accountability, Zelenskyy criticised the lack of criminal action against Russia. Referring to events in the Western Hemisphere, he said, “President Trump led an operation in Venezuela, and Maduro was arrested. There were different opinions about it but the fact remains, Maduro is on trial in New York.”
He contrasted this with Russia’s president. “Putin is not on trial. This is the fourth year of the biggest war in Europe since World War Two and the man who started it is not only free, he is still fighting for his frozen money in Europe.”
Zelenskyy echoed Trump’s criticism of Europe, saying, “Europe loves to discuss the future, but avoids taking action today.” He said that despite many meetings, Europe has not even set up a proper tribunal to investigate Russian crimes. “What’s missing? Time or political will? Too often in Europe, something else is always more urgent than justice.”
He also questioned Europe’s response to Russian oil exports. “Why can President Trump stop tankers from the shadow fleet and seize oil, but Europe doesn’t?” he asked. “That oil funds the war against Ukraine, that oil helps destabilise Europe.”
He cited Iran and Belarus as examples of Europe’s inaction. On Iran, he said refusing to help people fighting for freedom always has negative consequences. On Belarus, he added, “No one helped their people in 2020 and now Russian missiles are deployed in Belarus within range of most European capitals.”
Zelenskyy said Europe is divided and too focused on not offending allies. “I’m told not to mention Tomahawks to the Americans, not to spoil the mood,” he said, adding that he was also advised not to bring up Taurus missiles.
'President Trump will not change'
“Europe looks lost trying to convince the US president to change. But he will not change,” Zelenskyy said. “President Trump loves who he is, and he says he loves Europe, but he will not listen to this kind of Europe.”
Referring to Trump’s newly launched Board of Peace, Zelenskyy said Europe has not even formed a united position on the idea. “Maybe tonight when the European Council meets, they will decide something,” he said, adding that Europe might “finally decide something on Greenland”.
Calling for unity, he said Europe should not accept being “just a salad of small and middle powers”. “When united we are truly invincible,” he said.
Earlier, Zelenskyy met Trump for about an hour in Davos. Trump later said the meeting had gone well but added that there is still “a ways to go” to end the war. “The war has to end,” Trump said. “There are a lot of people being killed.”