(Reuters) – Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, expressed his plea for the West to intensify sanctions against Vladimir Putin and increase support for Kyiv. He stressed the need to prevent Moscow from succeeding in the war. Zelenskiy delivered an emotional speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos, citing concerns about the West’s hesitancy and the potential prolonging of the conflict.
He urged Europeans to recognize that Putin’s ambitions extended beyond Ukraine, claiming that Putin embodies war and that his madness must not prevail. Zelenskiy opposed the notion of freezing the conflict at its current state, emphasizing that Putin is aggressive and will not be satisfied with a stalemate.
He also criticized the lack of sanctions on Russia’s nuclear sector, highlighting the weakness of the West. He expressed gratitude for the existing sanctions and stressed the need for their proper enforcement.
European Union and NATO leaders echoed Zelenskiy’s concerns at the forum, emphasizing the importance of continued support for Ukraine. European Commission chief, Ursula von der Leyen, warned that Ukrainians need predictable financing and a sustained supply of weapons to defend themselves. NATO Secretary-General, Jens Stoltenberg, emphasized that support for Ukraine is an investment in the alliance’s security, not charity.
The meeting at Davos occurred as Kyiv’s troops shifted to a more defensive stance following an unsuccessful counteroffensive against Russian forces. Kyiv is now focused on securing Western assistance, reforming its conscription effort, and addressing artillery shortages. Zelenskiy expressed hope for the approval of further aid by the United States.
During a question-and-answer session, Zelenskiy stressed the need to support Kyiv, pointing out the combat readiness of the Ukrainian army in deterring Russian forces. He indicated that Russian aggression extends beyond Ukraine, becoming increasingly apparent.
Zelenskiy met with several officials on the sidelines of the forum, including U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, NATO’s Stoltenberg, and executives from JPMorgan.
(Reporting by Olena Harmash, Yuliia Dysa, Pavel Polityuk; Writing by Tom Balmforth; Editing by Andrew Heavens, Bernadette Baum and Tomasz Janowski)
