“Just a year ago, here in Davos, I ended my speech with the words: Europe needs to learn how to defend itself. A year has passed — and nothing has changed. We are still in a situation where I am forced to repeat the very same words”, - President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky said on January 22 at the World Economic Forum, according to the Telegram channel “DW Glavnoe”.
“Europe needs united armed forces that are truly capable of defending it. Today Europe relies only on the belief that NATO will work in case of danger. But no one has truly seen the alliance in action. If putin decides to seize Lithuania or strike Poland — who will respond to that?” - Zelensky stated.
“If russian military ships freely sail around Greenland, Ukraine can help. We have the experience and the weapons to ensure that none of them remains afloat — just as off the coast of Crimea. (…) For us, the sea is not the first line of defense, so we can act there if asked and if Ukraine is in NATO. But we are not in NATO”, - Zelensky pointed out.
“Europe offers nothing and does not want to support the Iranian people and the democracy they need. But when you refuse to help people fighting for freedom, the consequences come back — and they are always negative. An example is Belarus in 2020. No one helped its people, and now russian ‘Oreshnik’ missiles capable of reaching most European capitals are stationed in Belarus”, - the President of Ukraine stated.
“We have told our European partners many times: act now against these missiles in Belarus. Missiles are never just decoration. But Europe is still in ‘Greenland mode’: maybe someday someone will do something”, - Zelensky complained.
He recalled that “last year, for most of the time, long-range weapons for Ukraine were discussed, and everyone said that the decision was ‘within reach’. Now almost no one talks about it at all, but russian missiles and ‘Shahed’ UAVs are still here. Today they are striking Ukraine. Tomorrow it could be any NATO country”, - Zelensky said.
“In Europe we are advised not to mention Tomahawk missiles, not to talk about them to the Americans so as not to spoil the mood. We are told not to raise the issue of Taurus missiles. (…) Europe has endless internal disputes and unspoken issues that prevent it from uniting and speaking honestly enough to find real solutions”, - Zelensky reproached Europe.
“We must not agree that Europe is just a salad of small and medium-sized states, seasoned with Europe’s enemies. In unity, we are truly invincible. And Europe can and must be a global power — not one that reacts late, but one that shapes the future”, - the President of Ukraine emphasized.
As reported, Zelensky spoke about what he discussed with Trump.