Zelenskyy in Davos: Trump, Putin's dreams, ending war in 2025
Photo: President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Davos (Getty Images)
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy spoke at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. He explained why Ukraine needs strong security guarantees and outlined Ukraine's strategy towards peace and its relationship with the new US President Donald Trump.
RBC-Ukraine reports Zelenskyy's main statements.
Contents
- On a turning point for Europe
- On Russian military threat
- On joint weapon production and air defense systems
- On Europe's place at the negotiation table on Ukraine
- On Ukraine's strategy on the path to peace
- Why Ukraine needs strong security guarantees
- On Putin's dream of weakening Ukraine's army
- On Ukraine's strategy in relations with Trump
On a turning point for Europe
Zelenskyy began his speech at the forum by discussing Europe’s future. According to him, after Donald Trump’s inauguration, everyone is waiting to see what he will do next. However, no one in the US is concerned that Europe might ever stop being an ally.
"Washington does not believe Europe can bring them something that is really substantial," he stated, adding that last year at the Shangri-La Dialogue summit in Singapore, representatives of the US delegation placed Europe third in their list of priorities, behind the Indo-Pacific region, the Middle East, and the Persian Gulf.
He also pointed out that there is currently no certainty whether Trump sees NATO as necessary or will respect the EU institutions. However, Europe cannot be second or third in line for its allies. If that happens, and the world begins to move forward without Europe, such a world will not be comfortable for Europeans.
"We’re at yet another turning point, which some see as a problem for Europe, but others call a chance. Europe must establish itself as a strong global player. As an indispensable player," the President added.
On Russian military threat
Regarding the military threat, Zelenskyy stated that Russia is turning into a version of North Korea. Despite its relatively small economic potential compared to Europe, Russia is already producing several times more weapons and military equipment.
"That’s exactly the path of wars Moscow chooses to take. Putin signed the new strategic deal with Iran. He already has a comprehensive treaty with North Korea. Who do they make such deals against? Against you, against us. Against Europe, against America," Zelenskyy emphasized.
According to Zelenskyy, such threats can only be countered together with Ukraine. He noted that when it comes to army sizes, Russia can field 1.5 million soldiers, while Ukraine’s Armed Forces number over 800,000.
"Second after us comes France, with over 200,000. Then Germany, Italy, and the UK. Everyone else has less. This isn’t a situation where one country can secure itself alone. It’s about all of us standing together to mean something," the President added.
On joint weapon production and air defense systems
Zelenskyy stresses the need for a unified European security and defense policy, where all countries will spend as much as necessary. "If it takes 5% of GDP to cover defense, then so be it, 5% it is," he stated.
As an example, Zelenskyy mentioned Ukraine’s defense cooperation models.
"We’re building drones together – including some totally unique ones that no one else in the world has. We’re producing artillery together – and in Ukraine, it’s much cheaper and faster than in any other country in the world. And investing now in Ukrainian drones’ production is investing not only in the security of Europe but the ability of Europe to be a security guarantor for other vital regions," he said.
He also emphasized that Europe needs its own version of the Iron Dome and that, together with Ukraine, they can build air defense systems capable of handling cruise and ballistic missiles of all types.
"We can’t rely on goodwill from a few capitals when it comes to Europe’s security – whether it’s Washington, Berlin, Paris, London, Rome, or – after Putin kicks the bucket – some imaginary democrat in Moscow someday," Zelenskyy pointed out.
On Europe's place at the negotiation table on Ukraine
According to Zelenskyy, when agreements on war and peace are being made, Europe must have a seat at the negotiation table.
"I'm not just talking about Ukraine here. This should be a standard. Europe deserves to be more than just a bystander, with its leaders reduced to posting on X after an agreement has already been made. Europe needs to shape the terms of those deals," he said.
On Ukraine's strategy on the path to peace
Zelenskyy stated that the main strategy for achieving peace is transitioning to diplomacy. However, the question remains: what form will that diplomacy take?
"If diplomacy is strong and, after certain negotiation formats, Ukraine receives solid security guarantees that make it impossible for Putin to return with war, then this will be a sustainable, just, and strong peace for Ukraine, Europe, and America," Zelenskyy said.
However, if the guarantees are weak and only words, "then Russia will only offer words and will return with war".
Why Ukraine needs strong security guarantees
Currently, the Russian army in Ukraine is three times larger than it was at the start of 2022, exceeding 600,000 troops. While at the beginning of the war, the US supplied up to 90% of the weapons, today, 40% comes from Ukrainian production, 40% from the US, and the rest from Europe. Ukraine has significantly increased its reliance on domestic and American production, but Europe has not scaled up at the same rate.
Putin has also drastically increased production, with over 30 military factories (compared to 45 in Europe), yet Russia produces twice as much as Europe.
"If there are no strong security guarantees, production levels will decline. We would have to rely only on ourselves and Europe, which is insufficient. Europe and the US need to remain united. If Putin has amassed over 600,000 troops, what do you think? Without strong guarantees - a NATO, something else, a military contingent on the territory of Ukraine - Putin will undoubtedly return with an army ten times larger," Zelenskyy warned.
According to him, in such a scenario, Putin would seek the full occupation of all former Soviet states and then begin issuing ultimatums to other countries, such as withdrawing from NATO.
"He will drag all of us back into his imagined world. That’s what will happen without strong security guarantees," the President concluded.
On Putin's dream of weakening Ukraine's army
One of Putin's key objectives is to drastically reduce the size of Ukraine's army. "This is absolutely clear. If we managed to build an 800,000-strong army, then it’s evident that Ukraine, together with Europe, represents a force capable not only of defending itself but also of repelling Putin. He understands this," Zelenskyy stated.
The fastest way for Putin to achieve this goal is by pressuring the US to block Ukraine's NATO membership and convincing other allies to demand that Ukraine reduce its military by five times. "This is what he wants. We will not let it happen, but he will try," the President added.
On Ukraine's strategy in relations with Trump
Zelenskyy emphasized that the main strategy with Trump is to counter pro-Russian narratives and ensure he is surrounded by voices from Europe who can clearly explain the details and risks of future decisions.
"Trump told me and has publicly stated, that he will do everything to end the war this year. I told him that we are your partner. This war is in our country; we know all the painful areas and have lost our people. We want to end this war this year - not just quickly, but above all, fairly and securely for us. We will do everything to achieve that," Zelenskyy said.
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The 2025 World Economic Forum is taking place from January 20 to 24, with the central theme of Collaboration for the Intelligent Age. The event expects participation from around 60 heads of state and 900 CEOs of leading global companies.
Discussions on Ukrainian issues will be hosted at the Ukraine House. On January 23, the session Ukraine: The Path Forward is scheduled to address the Russia-Ukraine war and the prospects for a peace agreement. Featured participants include Poland's Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola, and Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will hold bilateral talks with leaders from Latin America and Asia and meet with major business representatives during his visit.
Earlier, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico proposed a meeting on the sidelines of the forum to discuss gas issues. However, the meeting remains unconfirmed. Zelenskyy remarked that it is difficult to plan with someone who may go "to Davos but end up somewhere in Sochi."
