Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has once again taken center stage at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, where he has lashed out at his European allies for their lack of action in the ongoing conflict with Russia. Zelenskyy’s strong words come as he arrives at the presidential palace in Nicosia, Cyprus, on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026.
In his speech at the forum, Zelenskyy accused Europe of failing to “take the lead in defending freedom” and criticized the continent for being a “fragmented kaleidoscope of small and middle powers.” He went on to say that Europe appears “lost” as it tries to convince US President Donald Trump to put pressure on Russia to end its four-year offensive in Ukraine.
Zelenskyy’s frustration with Europe’s lack of action is understandable. Despite Trump’s promises to end the Ukraine-Russia war, peace still seems elusive a year after he returned to office. Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin continues to drag his feet in negotiations, even when offered rewards by the US for being the aggressor and invading Ukraine in 2022.
While Russia continues its aggressive actions and bombards Ukraine’s national infrastructure, Trump has repeatedly blamed Zelenskyy for the slow progress in negotiations. This has only added to the Ukrainian president’s frustration and disappointment with the lack of support from Europe.
Zelenskyy also warned that Europe’s hesitation to act would have repercussions beyond Ukraine, emboldening other authoritarian regimes aside from the Kremlin. He emphasized that Europe needs to take a stronger stance in defending freedom worldwide, especially when America’s focus shifts elsewhere.
“Europe needs to be seen as a global force, capable of scaring off bad actors. If not, we will always be playing catch-up with new dangers and attacks,” Zelenskyy said.
He also pointed out that at last year’s Davos forum, he had called for Europe to know how to defend itself, but a year has passed and nothing has changed. Zelenskyy expressed his disappointment that most of the time at the forum was spent discussing long-range weapons for Ukraine, but now “no one is even talking about it.”
Zelenskyy’s concerns are valid, as the conflict in Ukraine has far-reaching consequences. He warned that today, Ukraine is the target, but tomorrow it could be any NATO country. This is a serious threat that Europe cannot afford to ignore.
Despite the lack of progress in negotiations, Zelenskyy remains hopeful and determined to find a solution to the conflict. He announced that a two-day trilateral meeting involving Ukraine, the US, and Russia is set to start on January 23 in the United Arab Emirates. This is a positive step towards finding a peaceful resolution to the ongoing conflict.
In addition, Trump’s son-in-law and adviser Jared Kushner and special envoy Steve Witkoff are set to meet with Putin in Moscow on Thursday. This meeting could potentially lead to further discussions and progress in finding a resolution to the conflict.
Zelenskyy also had a productive and substantive one-hour meeting with the US president at Davos, their first in-person conversation this year. While no fresh agreements were announced, it is clear that both leaders are committed to finding a solution to the conflict.
It is time for Europe to step up and take a stronger stance in defending freedom and supporting Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression. Zelenskyy’s words serve as a wake-up call for Europe to take action and show that it is a global force to be reckoned with.
In conclusion, Zelenskyy’s strong words at the World Economic Forum in Davos serve as a reminder that the conflict in Ukraine is far from over and that Europe needs to take a more active role in finding a solution. It is time for Europe to show its strength and stand with Ukraine in its fight for freedom and sovereignty. Let us hope that Zelenskyy’s message will be heard and that Europe will take the lead in defending freedom worldwide.
