Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the 2024 World Economic Forum.
Image Alliance | Image Alliance | Getty Images
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has questioned the United States’ commitment to its transatlantic ally and said President Donald Trump’s decision to focus on domestic issues as one of his first actions in office showed he had no concern for the future of Europe.
“Right now, all eyes are on Washington, but who is really looking at Europe at this moment?” Zelensky asked an audience of business leaders and heads of state gathered in Davos, Switzerland, during a speech on Tuesday.
Zelensky wanted to appeal to European officials and businesses, warning of risks to the region’s security, as Trump laid out his priorities in the first executive order he signed since taking office on Monday.
Among the orders Trump signed in his first bill as the 47th president of the United States were to suspend a TikTok ban enacted in the final days of his predecessor Joe Biden’s administration, declare a national emergency at the border and abandon climate goals.
“Will President Trump take notice of Europe? Does he think NATO is necessary? Will he respect EU institutions?” Zelensky asked, noting that global relations are changing and Europe is now concerned that the United States can and will be needed if needed time to give it up. Zelensky claimed that Washington did not share this concern.
“Are there people in the United States who are worried that Europe might one day abandon them and cease to be their allies? The answer is no,” he told delegates.
“Europe cannot become second or third among U.S. allies. If that happens, the world will start moving forward without Europe… Europe needs to compete for the top spot in terms of priorities, alliances and technological development. “
The Ukrainian leader said the region must establish itself as a “strong global player”.
“Just” peace
Zelensky’s presence and speech provide Kyiv with a major opportunity to push forward its own peace proposal ahead of possible pressure from incoming President Donald Trump to reach a ceasefire with Russia.
February will mark the third anniversary of the Russian invasion, and war fatigue is growing amid uncertainty about future aid to Ukraine that will allow it to continue to counter Russian advances in the south and east of the country.
While Western allies have vowed to maintain military support for Kiev, Trump has been more ambivalent about continued U.S. aid, having previously boasted that he would end the war within 24 hours if elected president.
Ukraine’s partners in Europe have expressed concern that Kyiv could be forced into an unfair peace deal with Moscow, which would result in Kyiv being forced to give up territory currently occupied by Russia. Critics worry that such an arrangement could allow Russia to regroup, rearm and come back later to try to annex more territory.
Zelensky warned on Tuesday that Europe could find itself excluded from any future peace talks on Ukraine, while the United States could negotiate separately with Russia and China.
“It’s unclear whether Europe will have a seat at the negotiating table when the war against our country ends, and we see how much influence China has over Russia. We are very grateful for all the support Europe has given us.” But Trump Will President Vladimir Putin listen to Europe or negotiate with Russia and China without Europe? he asked.
President Trump has raised the possibility of a near-term meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, with whom he maintained friendly relations during his first term.
In comparison, Trump expressed more complex feelings towards President Zelensky. He has been called “very honorable” and “the greatest salesman” in the past.
Republican presidential candidate and former US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met at Trump Tower in New York City, the United States, on September 27, 2024.
Shannon Stapleton | Reuters
Aware of their precarious position, Ukrainian officials have sought to curry favor with Trump since he won the election, and Zelenksi and his team say they are optimistic about working together to achieve peace in Ukraine.
Zelensky congratulated Trump on his victory in the polls. He commented on the X social media platform that he appreciated Trump’s “commitment to the approach of ‘peace through strength’ in global affairs.”
Maxim Timchenko, chief executive of Ukraine’s largest energy company DTEK, told CNBC’s Dan Murphy earlier Tuesday that Ukraine needs a fair peace deal and said he believed Trump would Universal can help achieve this goal.
He said: “All Ukrainians want a solution like everyone else, but not just a solution but a fair and just peace. This is one that can last for many years and not be interrupted by (war) thing.
“I trust President Trump because we share the same values ​​in our country, and I trust President Trump to protect those values ​​and we will build a new Ukraine based on those values.”
Referring to the transactional nature of Trump’s foreign and trade policies, Timchenko said future cooperation with the United States on energy security and the eventual reconstruction of Ukraine is possible.
