Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy used his address at the World Economic Forum in Davos to deliver a sharp and deeply critical assessment of Europe’s political resolve, warning that hesitation, fragmentation and overdependence on the United States are giving Russia room to continue its aggression against Ukraine.
Opening his speech with a pointed cultural reference, Zelenskyy likened Europe’s repeated cycles of debate and delay to the film Groundhog Day. He said the continent appeared trapped in a pattern where every major international forum produces familiar discussions but little decisive action. According to him, this sense of repetition and inertia has become dangerously normalised at a time when Europe faces its most serious security challenge in decades.
Zelenskyy drew a deliberate parallel between Europe’s uncertain reaction to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and its recent confusion over Greenland, arguing that both episodes reveal the same underlying problem: an inability or unwillingness to act decisively. He said that instead of shaping events, European leaders often wait for Washington to take the lead, hoping contentious issues will simply fade away once US attention shifts.
He warned that this passive approach carries serious risks. Russian naval forces, he noted, are already operating freely near Greenland, just as they do around Crimea. Zelenskyy said Ukraine possesses valuable military experience in confronting Russian tactics and could assist Europe if asked, but pointedly reminded his audience that Ukraine remains outside NATO, limiting formal cooperation despite the shared threat.
Describing Europe as a “beautiful but fragmented” continent, Zelenskyy argued that it currently looks uncertain and reactive rather than confident and strategic. He said Europe appears to be expending energy trying to persuade the US president to alter his approach, even though it should be clear by now that Washington’s priorities will not necessarily align with Europe’s security needs.
He questioned the foundations of Europe’s defence posture, noting that NATO’s credibility rests heavily on the assumption that the United States will always intervene in a crisis. Zelenskyy asked bluntly who would respond if Russia were to attack Lithuania or launch strikes against Poland, warning that doubts about American involvement are already widespread among European leaders themselves.
Renewing a long-standing appeal, Zelenskyy urged Europe to move toward building truly unified armed forces capable of defending the continent independently. He said Europe must develop real military capabilities, not just declarations, if it wants to protect its values and borders in the present, not in some distant future.
The Ukrainian leader also criticised Europe’s slow progress on accountability for Russian aggression. He said repeated discussions about establishing a special tribunal to prosecute Moscow for the war have produced little concrete outcome, questioning whether the real obstacle is a lack of time or a lack of political courage. Referring to the International Criminal Court, he said justice continues to be postponed in favour of other priorities.
Zelenskyy expressed frustration that frozen Russian assets in Europe remain a subject of negotiation rather than action. He said it was alarming that Vladimir Putin, who launched the largest war in Europe since World War II, is still exerting influence over how those funds might be used. While he welcomed the European Union’s decision to freeze the assets indefinitely, he said efforts to deploy them against Russian aggression have repeatedly been blocked.
Although Zelenskyy acknowledged ongoing talks with international partners and said he remained grateful for discussions with the United States following a closed-door meeting with President Donald Trump, his core message to Europe was unmistakable. He warned that constant debate without action carries a heavy price, and that Europe’s reluctance to act today will ultimately determine the kind of future it is forced to live with tomorrow.
