In a scathing speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has launched a blistering attack on European leaders, accusing them of all talk and no action in supporting Kyiv’s fight against the Russian invasion.
Declaring that Ukraine is “living in Groundhog Day”, Zelenskyy told delegates that Europe “loves to discuss the future but avoids taking action” against Russia. He added, “Every forum like this one proves it. 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.”
The Ukrainian president’s clear frustration was in stark contrast to the assessment of the war offered earlier by US President Donald Trump, who claimed that a deal to end the conflict was “close”. Trump said the pair held a “good” meeting on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum, but it was not clear whether the talks had failed to yield progress on key issues, such as territory.
Zelenskyy announced that Ukraine, Russia and the US will hold their first trilateral peace talks in the UAE on Friday, adding that “Russians have to be ready for compromises, not just Ukraine”. His comments came after he declared that Ukraine is “living in Groundhog Day”, as he made some of his most critical statements so far about Kyiv’s allies.
The Ukrainian leader’s scathing rhetoric was a far cry from the diplomatic niceties usually on display at such high-level gatherings. Zelenskyy shook Europe “by the scruff” and reminded world leaders just how little they have done to support Ukraine in its battle for survival.
Amid the diplomatic wrangling, the war in Ukraine continues to rage, with the country enduring a bitter winter after relentless Russian attacks. As the peace efforts remain overshadowed, Zelenskyy’s impassioned plea for greater support from Europe will no doubt reverberate in the halls of power across the continent.