President Volodymyr Zelensky warned Thursday that Europe is divided, unprepared, and at risk as Russia’s war enters its fourth year, calling for urgent support from the United States.
His remarks came after a last-minute meeting with US President Donald Trump at the World Economic Forum in Davos.
“Instead of becoming a truly global power, Europe remains a beautiful but fragmented kaleidoscope of small and middle powers,” Zelensky said. “Europe looks lost trying to convince the US president to change.”
Zelensky said security guarantees from the United States are critical for Ukraine.
“The UK and France are ready to actually commit their forces on the ground… But the backstop of President Trump is needed. And again, no security guarantees work without the US,” he said, adding that European or UK support alone cannot prevent another Russian invasion.
Zelensky also said documents being drafted with Washington to end the war are “nearly, nearly ready,” echoing Trump’s earlier remarks that Russia and Ukraine are “reasonably close“ to striking a deal.
“We met with President Trump, and our teams are working almost every day. It’s not simple,” he said, describing the meeting as positive but complex.
Questioning NATO’s credibility, he warned that Europe relies too much on “fate” rather than demonstrated action.
“Today, Europe relies only on faith that NATO will act in case of danger,” he said. “If Putin decides to seize Lithuania or strike Poland – who will answer?”
Zelensky has also criticized Europe for failing to support pro-democracy movements, saying, “When you refuse to help people fighting for freedom, the consequences come back – and they are always negative.”
He cited Belarus in 2020, where democratic protests fizzled and pushed Minsk back closer towards Moscow, eventually leading to the deployment of Russian missiles that directly threaten Europe.
“For example, Belarus in 2020. No one helped its people, and now Russian ‘Oreshnik’ missiles have been deployed in Belarus, capable of reaching most European capitals,” Zelensky said.
He also alluded to other regions, including Iran, saying Europe’s inaction undermines global democracy and stability.
Energy security was another focus. “Russian oil finances the war against Ukraine and destabilizes Europe,” Zelensky said. He called for the oil to be stopped, confiscated, and sold for the continent’s benefit.
“If Putin has no money, there will be no war. If Europe has resources, it can protect its people,” he said
The speech came just after Zelensky held a last-minute meeting with Trump on the sidelines of the forum. The US president called it a “good” meeting and said the war in Ukraine “must end.”
Zelensky also hailed the talks as productive, with both sides focusing on coordination between their teams and finalizing key security and diplomatic documents.