Volodymyr Zelenskyy delivers a passionate address on January 22nd, in which he likens Europe’s response to Russia’s war in Ukraine to the repetitive cycle in Groundhog Day, noting that a year after warning Davos that “Europe needs to know how to defend itself,” nothing has changed despite it being the fourth year of Europe’s largest war since World War II. He criticizes Europe for allowing Putin to influence decisions on frozen Russian assets, blocking their use to defend against aggression, and urges the EU to break the loop by developing its own defense capabilities, increasing pressure on Russia through sanctions like those on oil that still fund its war machine, and holding Russian leadership accountable instead of relying solely on NATO and the US.
Zelenskyy describes Europe as a “salad of small and middle powers seasoned with enemies” and mentions that its union makes it invincible —a global force that defines the future rather than reacting late—. He emphasizes the need for courage and action on land, air, and sea to protect independence and build a new world order without war, as intellectual discussions alone cannot stop conflicts. He calls for real support beyond words, pressing Davos attendees to open offices and invest in Ukraine to create jobs, signaling trust in its post-war independence, while stressing that tragedies outpace the free world’s hesitant decisions.
He also highlights active diplomacy, including a recent meeting with President Trump where teams are finalizing documents to end the war, upcoming trilateral talks with Russia requiring compromises from all sides, and ongoing efforts amid Ukraine’s challenges like power outages, insisting that pressure on Russia must intensify and support for Ukraine grow to achieve peace. Zelenskyy concludes by rejecting reliance on luck or faith alone, demanding action to end the “Groundhog Day” and ensure security, and ends with “Glory to Ukraine!”
Reference: World Economic Forum. (2026, January 22). Davos 2026: Special address by Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine.https://www.weforum.org/stories/2026/01/davos-2026-special-address-volodymyr-zelenskyy-president-of-ukraine/