During his speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy criticized Europe for its lack of real self-defense capabilities and dependence on US decisions. He said that a year after his speech last year, the situation has not changed fundamentally.
This was reported by Clash Report.
Zelenskyy recalled that exactly one year ago in Davos, he ended his speech with the words: “Europe must know how to defend itself,” but, according to him, “a year has passed, and nothing has changed.”
The president drew attention to the indecisiveness of European leaders on security issues, citing the situation around Greenland as an example.
“Everyone has turned their attention to Greenland, and it is clear that most leaders are unsure what to do about it,” Zelenskyy said, adding that many are simply waiting for America to “cool down” on the issue.
The president also focused on the role of NATO and Europe’s dependence on the US. According to him, the Alliance exists thanks to the belief that the United States will not stand aside in the event of a threat.
“But what if it doesn’t?” Zelenskyy asked, noting that NATO has never been fully tested.
Zelenskyy also criticized what he considers to be symbolic steps taken by European countries.
“Sending 14 or 40 soldiers to Greenland — what is that supposed to achieve? What signal does that send to Putin? To China? And perhaps most importantly, what signal does that send to Denmark?” he said.
The Ukrainian president emphasized the threat that Russian oil poses to Europe’s security.
“Russian oil is transported right along the coast of Europe, and it is this oil that finances the war against Ukraine,” Zelenskyy said.
He called for such supplies to be stopped: “Russian oil must be stopped, confiscated, and sold for the benefit of Europe. Why not? If Putin has no money, there will be no war.”
Speaking about sanctions, Zelenskyy noted that Russia is only able to continue the war because it is able to circumvent them.
“Russia would not be able to build ballistic or cruise missiles without critical components from other countries,” he stressed, adding that these components come not only from China, but also from Europe, the US, and Taiwan.
The president also expressed doubt about Europe’s ability to act as a unified force.
“Instead of becoming a true global power, Europe remains a beautiful but fragmented collection of small and medium-sized states,” Zelenskyy said.
In his opinion, Europe is more like “geography, history, tradition, rather than a real political force.”
Zelenskyy emphasized that the future world order cannot be built on statements alone and called for unity and determination.
“When we are united, we are truly invincible.
Europe can — and must — be a global power. You need Ukraine’s independence because tomorrow you may have to defend your way of life,” Zelenskyy said.
The president also announced that trilateral talks between Ukraine, the US, and Russia are planned in the United Arab Emirates in the coming days.