Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Ukraine’s president, in the course of the World Financial Discussion board (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, on Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026.
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Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, has accused Europe of being “misplaced” and attempting to persuade U.S. President Donald Trump to assist them, slightly than uniting to defend itself.
“As a substitute of taking the lead in defending freedom worldwide, particularly when America’s focus shifts elsewhere, Europe seems to be misplaced attempting to persuade the U.S. president to vary,” he mentioned in a strongly worded handle on the World Financial Discussion board in Davos, Switzerland, after almost 4 years of conflict with Russia.
“President Trump loves who he’s, and he says he loves Europe, however he is not going to take heed to this type of Europe,” Zelenskyy mentioned. He had met Trump in non-public shortly earlier than his speech.
“Europe nonetheless feels extra like geography, historical past, a practice, not an actual political power, not an excellent energy,” Zelenskyy added.
“Some Europeans are actually sturdy, it is true, however many say ‘we should stand sturdy’, and so they all the time need another person to inform them how lengthy they should stand sturdy, ideally till the following election.”
Zelenskyy additionally revealed there could be trilateral conferences within the United Arab Emirates on Friday and Saturday involving Ukraine, Russia and the U.S. He added the Russians “should be prepared for compromises” for the conflict to finish.
‘Nothing has modified’
In every week the place the main target in Davos has been on U.S. threats to annex Greenland, its tariffs on European nations and a brand new Gaza “Board of Peace,” Zelenskyy started his speech saying Europe’s inaction left his nation feeling prefer it was residing by way of “Groundhog Day.”
Zelenskyy mentioned: “Simply final yr right here in Davos, I ended my speech with the phrases, ‘Europe must know easy methods to defend itself.’ A yr has handed and nothing has modified. We’re nonetheless in a scenario the place I have to say the identical phrases.”
“When united, we’re really invincible, and Europe can and have to be a worldwide power, not one which reacts late,” he added.
A bruise could be seen on the again of U.S. President Donald Trump’s left hand throughout a signing ceremony for the “Board of Peace” on the World Financial Discussion board (WEF) on January 22, 2026 in Davos, Switzerland.
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Trump’s maneuvering on Greenland was the backdrop to many politicians’ speeches on the gathering. Zelenskyy criticized the small variety of troopers NATO nations despatched to the Arctic island amid Trump’s threats.
“In case you ship 30 or 40 troopers to Greenland, what’s that for? What message does it ship? What is the message to Putin? To China? And much more importantly, what message does it ship to Denmark?
“You both declare that European bases will shield the area from Russia and China …. otherwise you danger not being taken critically, as a result of 30 or 40 troopers is not going to shield something.”
Different urgent points have been sidelined whereas European leaders had been “ready for America to chill down” on Greenland, Zelenskyy advised.
“There was a lot speak in regards to the protests in Iran, however they drowned in blood. The world has not helped sufficient the Iranian folks,” he mentioned.
