Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy used his speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos to sharply criticise European leaders for what he described as insufficient support for Ukraine, underscoring his growing frustration as peace talks with Russia continue to stall.
Speaking a day after US President Donald Trump criticised Europe over mass migration, Zelenskyy focused much of his address on what he sees as Europe’s failure to do enough to help Ukraine resist Russia’s invasion or strengthen its own defence posture. His remarks highlighted the lack of tangible progress in diplomatic efforts to end the war, despite renewed US engagement.
Zelenskyy questioned the European Union’s decision not to deploy frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine’s war effort, suggesting the hesitation reflected a lack of political will.
“Putin managed to stop Europe, unfortunately,” he said. “What’s missing? Time? Or political will? Too often in Europe, something else is considered more urgent.”
He added that Europe often debates the future while avoiding decisive action in the present.
The Ukrainian leader also expressed frustration over advice from European partners on how to engage Washington, saying he had been cautioned against raising requests for long-range weapons such as US-made Tomahawk missiles or Germany’s Taurus missiles.
Zelenskyy further criticised the European Union’s slow and fragmented decision-making, arguing that internal divisions weaken the continent’s ability to respond effectively to Russian aggression.
“Too often, European leaders turn against each other instead of standing together to stop Russia,” he said. “Europe needs to learn how to defend itself.”
While he acknowledged some European leaders, including European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, his overall tone was scathing and left some in the audience unsettled. Many attendees had expected updates on US-backed peace talks or details from his meeting with Trump earlier in the day, but these were only briefly mentioned.
On negotiations, Zelenskyy said talks were ongoing but complex, noting that draft documents aimed at ending the war were “nearly ready.” He described his meeting with Trump as positive, thanking the US president for making time.
Zelenskyy has previously rebuked European leaders at international forums, but his remarks in Davos were particularly sharp. He questioned recent European troop deployments, such as sending small contingents abroad, asking what message such actions send to Russia, China and even Europe’s own allies.
US officials, meanwhile, have expressed optimism about the prospects of a peace deal. Trump said in his Davos address that negotiations were close to yielding results, while his special envoy to Ukraine, Steve Witkoff, spoke of a potential prosperity agreement that could give post-war Ukraine tariff-free access to the US market.
Despite the upbeat rhetoric from Washington, there has been little visible progress on core issues, including Russia’s demands that Ukraine cede parts of eastern territory and Moscow’s opposition to Western security guarantees for Kyiv.
Zelenskyy has also objected to proposals for shared control of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant involving the US, Russia and Ukraine. He said further talks involving US and Russian representatives are expected, stressing that any agreement would require compromises from all sides.
“Everyone has to be ready, not only Ukraine,” he said. “It’s better than not having no dialogue at all.”
He concluded with a note of cautious hope, saying he believed the war would eventually end.
