TL:DR – Zelensky Claims Europe Appears ‘Lost’ Post Private Meeting with Trump – World News
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky criticises Europe’s slow response to Russia’s invasion at the World Economic Forum in Davos.
- He calls for Europe to become a global force, stressing the need for self-defence.
- Zelensky highlights the urgent need for action in peace negotiations.
- He emphasises collaboration with the US while condemning Europe’s lack of adequate defence spending.
- The Kremlin dismisses the US’s new peace proposal as unconstructive.
Zelensky says Europe ‘looks lost’ after closed-door meeting with Trump | News World
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky blasted his European allies Thursday for the continent’s slow response to Russia’s invasion.
Addressing the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Zelensky said Europe ‘looks lost’ and urged the continent to become a global force.
‘Just last year, here in Davos, I ended my speech with the words: Europe needs to know how to defend itself. A year has passed.
‘And nothing has changed. We are still in a situation where I must say the same words again,’ he said.
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Vladimir Putin’s invasion will enter its fourth year next month and has so far killed over 53,000 civilians.
During his speech, Zelensky described an earlier, hour-long meeting with President Trump as ‘very important,’ adding: ‘Without action now, there is no tomorrow.’
Zelensky said Europe is in the same situation and needs to defend itself (Picture: AFP)
Ukrainian officials will meet their US counterparts before the two-day meeting with Putin’s negotiators. The Ukrainian leader said Russia must be prepared to compromise.
‘Everyone has to be ready, not only Ukraine,’ he said. ‘It’s better than not having any type of dialogue.’
Zelensky said his country would need the ‘very strong’ US on board to achieve peace, and that Europe could have the same influence but ‘needs time’.
The US administration recently revived negotiations with an amended twenty-point draft peace plan in November.
Peace talks have stalled between Russia and Ukraine (Picture: Getty)
But the Kremlin said the proposal was ‘completely unconstructive and does not work for us’.
Zelensky also slammed Europe for being slow to act on key decisions, spending too little on defence, and failing to stop Russia’s ‘shadow fleet’ of oil tankers.
He added: ‘Some Europeans are really strong, it’s true, but many say we must stand strong, and they always want someone else to tell them how long they need to stand strong, preferably until the next election.’