Relaxed and with slightly more optimistic messages than the previous year, the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, did not rule out in Davos imagining a scenario of a peace agreement, although he still sees it as distant as long as Russia is not subjected to greater pressure.
During a meeting in the Swiss town with a group of international media, including EL MUNDO, Zelensky stated that "if there is a peace agreement one day, we would need a minimum of 200,000 European soldiers as a security guarantee. Anything less would be insufficient." He responded when asked about the conditions that would be required for a potential treaty between the two enemy countries. This is the minimum number he accepts, and with gestures, he pointed out that it would be preferable to reach up to a million to truly ensure peace and security.
Until that day arrives, Zelensky stated that he expects the new President of the United States, Donald Trump, to impose "real and total sanctions on Russia". "He is a businessman and knows how to do it", he said. In his opinion, "only from a position of equality can negotiations with Russia take place. Otherwise, it would be a defeat for Ukraine."
The Ukrainian president affirmed that there has not been a real negotiation with Putin so far. "The three attempts that have been made were not negotiations, they were ultimatums," Zelensky summarized regarding initiatives on the table promoted by, among others, the Turkish President Erdogan. And now? "The only player is Trump," Zelensky clarified. He was dismissive of the attempts by the Brazilian President, Lula da Silva. "Lula is no longer relevant," he concluded.
Zelensky took the opportunity, both with journalists and previously with the audience at the Davos Forum, to issue a warning to Europe to end the war in Ukraine as soon as possible.
"Do you think Trump pays attention to Europe?" Zelensky challenged, Urging the European Union to prepare a larger army not only to defend itself from Russia or other external threats but also to be able to lead a significant peace force in Ukraine in the event of an agreement. "The cheapest option would be for NATO to ensure peace in Ukraine and, furthermore, if they accept us as a partner, it would guarantee Russia that we would never attack its territory in the future," Zelensky pointed out, although he acknowledged that the Atlantic Alliance would not be welcomed by Russia as a peacekeeping force and that there are also Western resistances to Ukraine becoming part of the club.
"Only four NATO countries oppose our accession: the United States, Germany, Slovakia, and Hungary," he stated. But at the same time, he maintained that "if Trump accepts us, we will be NATO members."
Zelensky focused his message on the need for Europe to rearm. "The North Korean soldiers on our front line are closer to Davos than to their country," he emphasized. "We need a united Europe," he reiterated to the audience. "No European country can defend itself alone from Russia," he declared. And he encouraged all Member States - for Spain, it would mean a significant budget increase - to raise their military spending to 5% of Gross Domestic Product. "If it has to be 5%, so be it," he said in reference to Trump's increasing demand on Europeans. Meanwhile, he continues to urge for armament, particularly missiles, and points out that Iran is also assisting Russia in the war more than is believed.