Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky addressed the global elite at Davos on Tuesday, delivering a blend of grave warnings and optimistic sentiments, as concerns intensify regarding the continuity of Western support against Russia.
Zelensky, having addressed the World Economic Forum through video in past years, personally traveled to the Swiss mountain resort, emphasizing that 2024 is pivotal in countering the Russian invasion.
Decked in black military fatigues, Zelensky continued to radiate his star power, prompting a standing ovation from the audience and being introduced to the stage as a “historical figure.”
Nearly two years post-invasion, Zelensky confronts escalating uncertainties. The US Congress remains deadlocked on sending more weapons, European powers exhibit increasing impatience, and the imminent return of Donald Trump, who dismissively rejected aid to Ukraine, adds to the challenges.
Zelensky insisted that questions on support were ‘only a matter of weeks’ and said, ‘I believe we can also manage the question of aid in Congress.’
‘Ladies and gentlemen, this year must be — must be — decisive,’ he said.
Zelensky met with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who promised that the United states will “sustain our support” despite the question marks in Congress.
In his address, Zelensky rejected the prospect of freezing the conflict with Russia, which failed at a swift takeover in February 2022 but has largely succeeded in repelling a major Ukrainian counteroffensive in the east.
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‘Any frozen conflict will eventually reignite,’ Zelensky said.
He noted that Germany and France had been guarantors of the earlier Minsk diplomatic process following incursions in 2014 by Russia, which seized the Crimean peninsula.
Calling Russian President Vladimir Putin a “predator” who will not be satisfied, Zelensky said, to nods and gasps in the crowd, “I don’t believe that Putin is capable of changing because only humans can do that.”
Putin retorted Tuesday that Moscow’s forces had the upper hand, telling Kyiv its counter-offensive has failed and “if this continues, Ukraine’s statehood could be dealt an irreparable, very serious blow.”
Zelensky, undeterred by the obstacles, indicated a willingness for peace negotiations, specifying that they must be on Ukraine’s terms.
Elaborating on his earlier suggestions for a global summit, Zelensky proposed that it could convene in Switzerland at the leader level.
‘I invite every leader and country that respects peace and international law to join us,’ Zelensky said.
A gathering of approximately 80 national security advisors took place in Davos on Sunday to explore the peace initiative—an evolving concept partly championed by Saudi Arabia, representing non-Western states deeply affected by the conflict.
In forward-looking discussions, Zelensky met with leaders of major companies, showcasing Ukraine’s economic outlook. He conveyed Ukraine’s readiness to diversify its exports, having secured passage through the Black Sea for vital grain exports despite Russian naval pressure.