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UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT VOLODYMYR Zelenskyy has slammed European inaction over Russian aggression after meeting US President Donald Trump for a “positive” talk at the World Economic Forum in Davos.
He referenced the film Groundhog Day where the main character repeats the same day while alluding to attempts to end the war in Ukraine.
“No one wants to live like that,” he said, “repeating the same thing for weeks, months, years, and that’s how we live now.”
Zelenskyy said the conversation brought agreement about what post-war US security guarantees for Ukraine would look like.
He did not say what the security guarantees included, only that they were “done” and were ready to be signed by the leaders and ratified by the Ukrainian parliament and US Congress.
In a change of tone for the Ukrainian leader he lamented Europe’s lack of ‘political will’ in dealing with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
“What’s missing? Time or political will?” he asked after alleging that Europe has made ‘no real progress’ around criminal investigations into Russia.
He said Europe was “fragmented” and looked “lost” trying to convince the US president to change – something Zelenskyy said will not happen.
“Instead of becoming a truly global power, Europe remains a beautiful but fragmented kaleidoscope of small and middle powers,” he said, adding: “Europe looks lost trying to convince the US president to change.”
He went on to say that although some Europeans are “really strong”, they “always need someone else to tell them how long they need to stand strong for”.
"What's missing? Time or political will?"
— Sky News (@SkyNews) January 22, 2026
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy says Europe has made 'no real progress' around criminal investigations into Russia.https://t.co/jr3nz3v4qy
📺 Sky 501, Virgin 602, Freeview 233 and YouTube pic.twitter.com/gINWSN9SMx
He said that that’s not how great powers work, adding that Europe faces challenges to the “European way of life”.
“America is changing its position but no one knows exactly how. Things move faster, how can Europe keep up with that?” he said.
“Some European leaders are from Europe, but not for Europe,” he added.
He also said Europe “needs to protect itself” by investing more in security, adding that many counties did not meet their defence pledges until Trump pressed them.
He said ”the backstop of President Trump is needed” for true security.
However, he criticised both Europe and the US for allowing companies to sell Russia missiles.
“Europe says nothing, America says almost nothing, and Putin makes missiles,” he said.
Trump also described their talk as good and said Russia’s nearly four-year-old war with Kyiv “has to end”.
The United Arab Emirates will host “trilateral” talks on the war this week with Ukrainian, US and Russian officials, Zelenskyy said.
The Ukrainian leader did not elaborate on the format of the talks, or whether Ukrainian and Russian officials would negotiate directly, and his office did not respond to requests to clarify.
“It will be the first trilateral meeting in the Emirates. It will be tomorrow and the day after tomorrow,” he said, adding: “Russians have to be ready for compromises.”
With additional reporting from AFP
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