Davos, Switzerland. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused European leaders on Thursday of being in “Greenland mode,” saying they were waiting for Donald Trump to lead on Ukraine rather than taking action themselves.
Criticism of European leaders at Davos
Zelenskyy’s remarks came in a speech at the World Economic Forum in the Swiss ski resort, following a week of diplomatic tension in which European leaders sought to end a standoff with the White House over Greenland.
He said Europe’s leaders were complacent and inactive, telling the audience that a year earlier at Davos he had ended his speech with the words, “Europe needs to know how to defend itself,” and added that “a year has passed, and nothing has changed.”
Zelenskyy said: “Europe remains in Greenland mode: maybe someone somewhere will do something.”
Pressure on the Kremlin and US diplomatic efforts
Zelenskyy used his speech to call for greater pressure on the Kremlin as Trump sent his envoy Steve Witkoff to Moscow to meet Vladimir Putin on Thursday, in the latest effort to advance peace talks between the two countries.
While noting Trump’s limited support for Ukraine since taking office one year ago, Zelenskyy largely avoided criticising the US president directly and instead blamed European leaders for remaining at the mercy of what he described as an increasingly unpredictable White House.
War impact and Greenland focus at the forum
Zelenskyy spoke as Ukraine endures winter conditions and Russian attacks on civilian infrastructure that have cut power and heating to much of the capital Kyiv and other major cities across the country.
He also referred to discussions dominated by Trump’s demands for the US to take over Greenland and his announcement of a “future framework of a deal” that would allow the US access to Greenland “forever.”
Zelenskyy said: “Everyone gave attention to Greenland, and it is clear most leaders are not sure what to do about it. It seems like everyone is just waiting for America to cool down on this topic, hoping it will pass away. But what if it does not: what then?”
What do you think European leaders should do next on Ukraine?