Zelensky accuses Europe of inaction on Ukraine War after Trump meeting in Davos

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has strongly criticised European leaders for what he described as a failure to take decisive action to end Russia’s war on Ukraine, as he addressed the World Economic Forum in Davos following an hour-long meeting with US President Donald Trump. Speaking before an audience of global political and business leaders, Zelensky said Europe “loves to discuss the future but avoids taking action today,” warning that delays and internal disagreements are undermining efforts to stop Russian aggression. He stressed that without concrete steps now, there can be no se

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has strongly criticised European leaders for what he described as a failure to take decisive action to end Russia’s war on Ukraine, as he addressed the World Economic Forum in Davos following an hour-long meeting with US President Donald Trump. Speaking before an audience of global political and business leaders, Zelensky said Europe “loves to discuss the future but avoids taking action today,” warning that delays and internal disagreements are undermining efforts to stop Russian aggression. He stressed that without concrete steps now, there can be no secure future for Ukraine or Europe. Zelensky revealed that his meeting with Trump had been focused on ending the war, adding that documents aimed at achieving peace are “nearly ready.” He said Ukraine is approaching the process with “honesty and determination,” but insisted that Russia must also be forced to end what he called its continued aggression. Trump later told reporters that “everybody wants to have the war end,” and suggested that a settlement could come very soon. In his speech, Zelensky repeatedly returned to the issue of action versus rhetoric. He criticised both Europe and the United States for failing to fully block companies from supplying missile components to Russia, saying this allowed Moscow to continue producing weapons despite sanctions. “Europe says nothing, America says almost nothing, and Putin makes missiles,” he said. The Ukrainian leader argued that cutting off Russia’s financial lifelines, particularly through oil exports, would be decisive. He questioned why the United States could act against Russia’s so-called shadow fleet of tankers while Europe hesitated, despite oil shipments moving along its own shores. “If Putin has no money, there is no war for Europe,” Zelensky said. Zelensky also expressed frustration over stalled political initiatives, including the lack of progress on establishing an international tribunal to prosecute Russian aggression and the blocking of decisions to use frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine’s defence. While thanking European countries for freezing those assets, he said the moment to use them had been missed due to a lack of political will. On European security, Zelensky warned that the continent remains overly dependent on the United States and Nato, arguing that Europe needs to be capable of protecting itself. He noted that many countries only increased defence spending after pressure from Trump and questioned what message this sends to Russia and China. He even suggested that Europe should consider developing its own armed forces, asking what would happen if the US chose not to intervene in a future crisis. Drawing parallels with other global crises, Zelensky said the international community often waits for problems to “pass away” instead of confronting them, citing Greenland and past failures to support democratic movements elsewhere. He warned that such hesitation only encourages authoritarian regimes. Zelensky ended his address with a stark appeal, saying that true world order comes from action, not words. “Without action now, there is no tomorrow,” he told delegates, before closing with the Ukrainian national salute: “Slava Ukraini” – Glory to Ukraine. The speech underscored growing tensions between Kyiv and some of its European partners, even as diplomatic efforts intensify around a possible settlement, with the United States once again playing a central role.