Zelensky Slams Allies at Davos for Not Doing Enough • Jewish Breaking News

To the surprise, no doubt, of his most loyal allies, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky took the stage Thursday at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, to slam European leaders for their tepid response to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s aggression in Ukraine.

On the Ukrainian home front, the Russians have been steadily making gains as they advance, disrupting power in Ukraine and plunging parts of the country into a blackout during the winter cold. It was therefore uncertain whether Zelensky would be able to attend the World Economic Forum.

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But in his speech, Zelensky risked alienating his closest allies, saying that with no end in sight to the war of grinding attrition his country is fighting with Russia, Europeans must step up to the plate as the United States’ influence in world affairs — or at least in Ukraine and Russia — recedes at President Donald Trump’s behest.

Zelensky warned the European leaders in attendance that Putin’s threat to Ukraine directly threatens Europe, and that they need to unite in the face of this danger, as well as the unique threat posed by erstwhile ally, the United States, which is no longer playing by the old rules of the Pax Americana that had reigned since the end of World War II.

He said Europe unprepared for the threat, with its militaries bearing no comparison to Ukraine’s, now considered the largest, strongest and most battle-hardened military in Europe, with unmatched drone warfare capabilities.

Zelensky also directly jabbed at President Donald Trump, a barb delivered shortly after both leaders engaged in talks that they described as “good.” Zelensky said that they had agreed on security guarantees for Ukraine, without disclosing details.

“Instead of becoming a truly global power, Europe remains a beautiful but fragmented kaleidoscope of small and middle powers,” Zelensky said. “Instead of taking the lead in defending freedom worldwide — especially when America’s focus shifts elsewhere — Europe looks lost, trying to convince the U.S. president to change. But he will not change.”

Zelensky also said that whatever the audience’s views on the U.S. abduction of now-former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, the fact remains that Maduro is awaiting trial in the United States, “but Putin is not on trial,” contrasting European actions to U.S. actions. He offered another contrast, describing forceful U.S. action in attacking oil tankers from Russia’s shadow fleet sailing under false flags to evade sanctions, compared to European inaction.

Ironically, almost simultaneously, French President Emmanuel Macron announced the interception of an oil tanker believed to be sailing under a false flag.

Zelensky castigated Europe for its reliance on American defense and said it must shore up its own capabilities to prepare itself for a world in which the United States can no longer be relied upon.

And although he had previously pressed for Ukrainian inclusion in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, which he saw as the best guarantee for Ukraine’s future safety and defense against Russian aggression, he presented pointed criticism of that alliance too.

“Today, Europe relies only on the belief that if danger comes, NATO will act,” he said. “But no one has really seen the alliance in action. If Putin decides to take Lithuania or strike Poland, who will respond? Who will respond?”

“Right now, NATO exists thanks to the belief that the United States will act — that it will not stand aside and will help,” he continued. “But what if it doesn’t? Believe me, this question is everywhere, in the minds of every European leader.”

He said the handful of soldiers European countries had sent to Denmark in response to Trump’s threat to Greenland proves his point.

“If you send 30 or 40 soldiers to Greenland — what is that for?” he said. “What message does it send? What’s the message to Putin? To China?”

Ukraine cannot protect its independence without European power, he said. But Europe’s independence is tied to Ukraine’s as well.

“You need Ukraine’s independence, too — because tomorrow, you may have to defend your way of life,” he said.

“And when Ukraine is with you, no one will wipe their feet on you,” he added, referring to Ukraine’s military might.