Volodymyr Zelenskyi, President of Ukraine, during the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Thursday, January 22, 2026.
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Europe of being “lost” and trying to convince US President Donald Trump to help them instead of coming together to defend themselves.
“Instead of taking the lead in defending freedom around the world, especially as America’s focus shifts elsewhere, Europe seems to have lost the effort to convince the US president to change,” he said in a speech at the World Economic Forum. DavosSwitzerland, after almost four years of war with Russia.
“President Trump loves who he is, and he says he loves Europe, but he doesn’t listen to that kind of Europe,” Zelensky said. He had a private meeting with Trump before his speech.
“Europe still feels like it is not a geography, a history, a tradition, a real political force or a superpower,” Zelensky added.
“Some Europeans are really strong, that’s true, but many say ‘we have to be strong’ and they always want someone else to tell them how long they have to stay strong, preferably until the next election.”
Zelensky also said that on Friday and Saturday there will be trilateral meetings in the UAE with the participation of Ukraine, Russia and the United States. He added that in order for the war to end, the Russians “must be ready to negotiate.”
“Nothing has changed”
The main focus in Davos during the week The US threatens to annex Greenland, its tariffs to European countries and the new Gaza”Peace Council“, Zelensky began, saying that Europe’s inaction is causing his country to experience “Grohog Day”.
Zelensky: “Last year in Davos, I ended my speech with the words: ‘Europe must know how to defend itself.’ A year has passed and nothing has changed. We are still in a situation where I have to say those words.”
“When united, we are truly invincible and Europe can and should be a global force, not a latecomer,” he added.
U.S. President Donald Trump wears a bruise on the back of his left hand during the Peace Council signing ceremony at the World Economic Forum (WEF) on January 22, 2026 in Davos, Switzerland.
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Trump’s maneuvering in Greenland was the backdrop for many politicians’ speeches at the rally. Zelensky criticized the small number of NATO troops sent to the Arctic island amid Trump’s threats.
“If you send 30 or 40 soldiers to Greenland, what is that for? What message does it send? What message does it send to Putin? To China? And more importantly, what message does it send to Denmark?”
“Either you claim that European bases will protect the region from Russia and China … or you risk not being taken seriously because 30 or 40 soldiers are not protecting anything.”
While European leaders are “waiting for America to cool down” in Greenland, other pressing issues are sidelined, Zelensky said.
“There was a lot of talk about the protests in Iran, but they were drowned in blood. The world did not help the Iranian people enough,” he said.