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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the World Economic Forum in 2024.
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy questioned the United States’ commitment to its transatlantic allies, saying President Donald Trump’s decision to focus on domestic issues as his first act in office suggested he would not be concerned about Europe’s future.
“Right now, all eyes are on Washington, but who is really looking at Europe right now?” Zelenskyy asked the audience of business leaders and heads of state gathered in Davos, Switzerland, during his speech Tuesday.
Zelenskyy sought to appeal to European officials and businesses, warning that the region’s security was at risk as Trump had demonstrated what his priorities are through his first executive orders, signed after his inauguration on Monday.
Pausing the TikTok ban instituted in the final days of his predecessor Joe Biden’s administration, declaring a national border emergency and backing away from climate goals were among the orders Trump signed in his first act as the 47th president of the United States.
“Will President Trump even look at Europe? Does he see NATO as necessary and will he respect EU institutions?” Zelenskyy asked, noting that global relations are changing and that Europe is now worried that the United States could and would abandon it in a time of need. Washington does not share this concern, Zelenskyy said.
“Does anyone in the United States worry that Europe might one day abandon them and cease to be their ally? The answer is ‘no,'” he told delegates.
“Europe cannot afford to be second or third in line with (the United States) allies. If that happens, the world will begin to move forward without Europe… Europe needs to compete for first place in priorities, alliances and technological development.”
The region must establish itself as a “strong global player,” the Ukrainian leader said.
A ‘just’ peace
Zelenskyy’s presence and speech offered kyiv a key opportunity for Ukraine to push its own peace proposals ahead of likely pressure from newly inaugurated President Donald Trump to reach a ceasefire deal with Russia.
February will mark the third anniversary of the Russian invasion, and war fatigue is growing amid uncertainty over future aid to Ukraine that would allow it to continue fighting Russian advances in the south and east of the country.
While Western allies have pledged to maintain military support for kyiv, Trump has been much more ambivalent about continuing American aid and previously boasted that he would end the war within 24 hours if he became president.
Ukraine’s partners in Europe have expressed concern that kyiv could be forced to sign an unfair peace deal with Moscow that would force it to give up territory currently occupied by Russia. Critics fear that such an agreement could allow Russia to regroup, rearm and return at a later date to try to annex more territory.
On Tuesday, Zelenskyy warned that Europe could be excluded from any future peace negotiations over Ukraine, and that the United States could pursue talks only with Russia and China.
“Right now, it is not clear whether Europe will even have a seat at the table when the war against our country ends, and we see how much influence China has over Russia. We are deeply grateful to Europe for all the support it has given our country. country, but will President Trump listen to Europe or negotiate with Russia and China, without Europe?
President Trump has already raised the possibility of a short-term meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, with whom he maintained cordial relations during his first term.
In contrast, Trump has expressed more mixed feelings toward President Zelenskyy, calling him “very honorable” and “the best salesman” of the past.
Republican presidential candidate and former US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy meet at Trump Tower in New York City, United States, on September 27, 2024.
Shannon Stapleton | Reuters
Aware of their precarious situation, Ukrainian officials have tried to curry favor with Trump since his election victory, and Zelenksyy and his team say they are optimistic they can work together for peace in Ukraine.
Congratulating Trump on his victory at the polls, Zelenskyy commented on social media platform X that he appreciated Trump’s “commitment to the ‘peace through strength’ approach to global affairs.”
Maxim Timchenko, CEO of DTEK, Ukraine’s largest energy company, told CNBC’s Dan Murphy on Tuesday that Ukraine needed a fair peace deal and said he believed Trump could help achieve it.
“All Ukrainians want a resolution as much as any other, but it’s not just a resolution, it’s about justice, a just peace. It’s about something that can continue for many years rather than a break (in the war). “, said. in Davos.
“I trust President Trump, because we have common values in our countries and I trust that President Trump will protect these values and we will rebuild a new Ukraine based on these values.”
Alluding to the often transactional nature of Trump’s foreign and trade policies, Timchenko said there could be future cooperation with the United States on energy security and the eventual reconstruction of Ukraine.
