Zelenskyy: When it comes to Europe's security, one can't hope 'Putin kicks the bucket' eventually
Photo: President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy (Getty Images)
When it comes to the security of Europe, one cannot rely on the goodwill of a few capitals or that Russian President Vladimir Putin will die eventually, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy says at the World Economic Forum in Davos.
“We can't rely on goodwill from a few capitals when it comes to Europe security - and whether it's Washington, Berlin, Paris, London, Rome - or after Putin kicks the bucket, some imaginary democrat in Moscow someday,” Zelenskyy said.
According to him, it is necessary to make sure that no European country is dependent on a single energy supplier, especially not Russia.
“Europe needs to step up and do more long-term work to secure real energy independence. You can't keep buying gas from Moscow while also expecting security guarantees, help, and backup from the Americans. That's just wrong,” the president said.
He cited the example of Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, who “is not seeking access to the US gas, but does not lose hope to enjoy US security umbrella.”
Termination of Russian gas transit through Ukraine
On January 1, Ukraine stopped transiting Russian gas to Europe through its territory after the expiration of the relevant contract with Russia. Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico sharply criticized this decision.
He claimed that due to Kyiv's decision, Slovakia would lose about half a billion euros in revenue from gas transportation fees. Fico also threatened Ukraine with retaliatory measures, including the termination of electricity supplies.
For his part, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused Fico of opening a second energy front against Ukraine at the behest of Russian leader Vladimir Putin.
