At the World Economic Forum in Davos on Thursday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy addressed an audience of global leaders, delivering a pointed critique of Europe's current role and urging a stronger, more unified response to international challenges.
Zelenskiy began by expressing dissatisfaction with Europe’s divided posture globally, stating that it remains "a beautiful but fragmented kaleidoscope of small and middle powers" rather than evolving into a formidable global entity. He warned that without unity and timely collective action, Europe risks perpetual reactive responses to threats rather than proactively shaping international security.
He remarked, "We should not accept that Europe is just a salad of small and middle powers, seasoned with enemies of Europe. When united, we are truly invincible." This metaphor underscored his call for cohesion in defense of shared values and freedoms, especially as American attention may fluctuate over time.
Highlighting the necessity of courage, Zelenskiy pressed that Europe must seize the moment to act decisively. "Without action now, there is no tomorrow," he said, urging an end to what he described as a repetitive cycle of inertia, metaphorically referencing it as "Groundhog Day." The president cautioned that hesitance only emboldens malign actors, and failure to support people fighting for freedom ultimately produces negative repercussions that reverberate back to Europe itself.
Addressing the issue of Russian oil, Zelenskiy questioned why the United States can successfully enforce measures such as seizing shipments from the so-called 'shadow fleet,' while Europe allows oil transports to continue along its shores. He noted, "That oil funds the war against Ukraine and helps destabilize Europe," advocating for confiscation and reallocation of such resources to European benefit. He pointed to perceived discrepancies in international justice, noting that while Venezuela’s ex-leader faces trial in New York, the Russian president has not been similarly held accountable.
Turning to strategic concerns in the Arctic, specifically Greenland, Zelenskiy observed a lack of clear direction among world leaders. He criticized token deployments of troops as ineffective signals to adversaries like Russia and China, and even to close allies such as Denmark, Greenland’s sovereign nation. He suggested Ukraine’s expertise and military capabilities could be utilized to counter Russian naval maneuvers in the region, comparing potential defense operations near Greenland to existing efforts near Crimea.
His remarks implied that Europe remains in a state of indecision regarding Greenland’s geopolitical challenges, remaining in “Greenland mode” until definitive actions are taken.