Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told European countries on Tuesday to “put paid” to Iran's threat and make Syria a partner as he warned they were in danger of “losing this century” to the US and China.
In an unusually critical speech towards his European allies, Mr Zelenskyy told them they were “falling behind” the US and China in the tech and artificial intelligence race. He said that while Europe might worry about a loss of American support under President Donald Trump, nobody in Washington fears the opposite.
“Will President Trump even notice Europe?", Mr Zelenskyy asked dignitaries at the World Economic Forum in Davos. “Europe can’t afford to be second or third in line for its allies. If that happens, the world will start moving forward without Europe, and that’s a world that won’t be comfortable or beneficial for all Europeans.”
Mr Zelenskyy leader said it was “not clear whether Europe will even have a seat at the table when the war against our country ends”. Mr Trump is expected to seek a swift end to the war between Ukraine and Russia, who both insist their territorial demands must be respected in any peace talks.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian last week signalled to Russia that his country too would support a “political settlement” to the conflict. Tehran is under US and European sanctions for allegedly supplying the Kremlin with drones to assist its three-year military assault against Ukraine.
“For now, thankfully, the influence of Iran’s regime is weakening. This gives hope for Syria and Lebanon. And they should too become examples of how life can recover after war,” Mr Zelenskyy said at Davos.
He said Ukraine was supporting the “new Syria” by providing aid from its grain ports after the fall of Bashar Al Assad's regime. “Europe could totally step in as a security donor for Syria – time to stop getting headaches from that direction,” he said. “And Europe together with America should put paid to the Iranian threat.”
World Economic Forum in Davos – in pictures
Europe should also spend as much on security as is “truly needed”, Mr Zelenskyy said as he called for Ukraine and its allies to jointly produce air defences. “We need a completely new, bolder approach to tech companies and technological development. If we waste time, Europe will lose this century,” he said.
“Europe is often more focused on regulation than on freedom, but when smart regulation is needed, Brussels hesitates. We should ensure maximum tech development in Europe and together make all significant decisions for the whole Europe. From weapons production to tech development, Europe must lead.”
