Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskiy told the World Economic Forum on Tuesday that it was time for Europe to stand strong and stay united as the United States installed a new president skeptical of global alliances and continued aid to Ukraine.
“Europe must shape history for itself and its allies,” he told dozens of government leaders at the annual Alpine summit in Davos, Switzerland.
Mr. Zelensky spoke less than 24 hours after President Trump was sworn in for a second term. But already, he said, “much of the world is wondering what their relationship with America will be.”
While America remains a “non-essential ally” that could help end Russia’s war of aggression, Mr Zelenskiy warned European leaders that there was no luxury of an ocean separating them from the revanchist regime in the Kremlin.
Therefore, according to him, Europe should ensure that its voice is heard in the negotiations not only for a quick cessation of hostilities in Ukraine, but also for ensuring a just and lasting peace.
“Will President Trump listen to Europe or negotiate with Russia and China without Europe?” Mr. Zelensky asked. “Europe must learn to take care of itself.”
He said that he has a good relationship with Mr. Trump and recalled that he told the American president that he wanted to be his partner in ending the bloodshed in Ukraine. According to him, no one wants the war to end more hopelessly than Ukrainians.
Mr. Trump has offered little insight into how he intends to fulfill his campaign pledge to end the fighting, and there is little indication that Moscow is prepared to budge from its maximalist demands that have divided and militarily neutralized Ukraine.
Mr Zelenskiy offered sobering statistics about how vulnerable Europe would be without American help, and he described a dire scenario for nations across the continent if Russia were to achieve its wartime goal of neutralizing Ukraine.
For example, despite having a much smaller economy than the European Union, Moscow is able to produce significantly more weapons and ammunition, he said. According to him, Russia can also send 1.5 million soldiers, while Ukraine currently has more than 800 thousand servicemen and women. The largest force in Western Europe is France with about 200,000 troops.
“If it takes 5 percent of GDP to cover defense, then so be it, 5 percent,” he said, referring to the amount Mr. Trump has urged all NATO allies to spend.
Earlier this month, the conservative American Enterprise Institute estimated that if Russia were to succeed in its bid to subdue Ukraine, the United States would have to spend an additional $808 billion over five years to bolster its military to protect Europe.
“These resources will be required in addition to the currently planned defense budget during that period and will be used to build the defense capacity, capability and posture to ensure America’s security and meet current commitments to NATO in a new, more dangerous strategic plan.” environment” the report of the institute says.
Mr. Zelensky said it will be costly for Europe.
Without strong security guarantees for Ukraine — which should include some combination of NATO membership, long-range weapons to deter aggression, and allied troops stationed in Ukraine to deter aggression — he said Russia would continue to threaten all countries, President Vladimir Putin said. Putin considers Russia to be a self-determined sphere of influence.
“He will bring us to the world that lives in his mind,” Mr. Zelensky said.
According to him, North Korean troops are currently engaged in battles in the Kursk region of Russia, which is closer to Davos than to Pyongyang. Moscow and Tehran have signed a security accord that strengthens the alliance based on a mutual desire to challenge the West. China continues to help keep Russia’s economy afloat.
“Who are they making such deals against?” Mr. Zelensky said. “Against you, against us. Against Europe, against America.”
“Russia is becoming a version of North Korea – a country that does not care about human life, but has nuclear weapons and a desire to make life miserable for its neighbors,” he said.
He said Mr. Trump will ultimately understand that it is in America’s best interest to fight nations that seek to undermine U.S. power and influence.
“There are some voices around Trump that are giving disinformation or pro-Russian messages,” he said.
“It’s very important that Europe is vocal,” he said, “so it clearly understands the details and the risks.”
