Zelenskyy Rallies International Support for Ukraine at Davos

A Ukrainian serviceman checks a tank machine gun after loading ammunition during military training near a frontline, amid Russia's attacks on Ukraine, in the Zaporizhzhia Region, Ukraine, on March 29, 2023. (Stringer/Reuters)

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is pushing international leadership to extend more security assistance to his embattled nation as it fends off Russian aggression for a second winter.

The leader pressed international allies and corporate leaders to enforce sanctions and help to rebuild Ukraine during an annual conference of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

The stakes were high not only for Ukraine, he said, but for the rest of the world as well.

“Anyone [who] thinks this is only about us, this is only about Ukraine, they are fundamentally mistaken,” Mr. Zelenskyy said.

“Putin embodies war.”

Mr. Zelenskyy’s comments come as international focus on Russia’s war continues to wane in relation to concern over Israel’s war in Gaza, which has sparked concerns about a wider regional conflict.

Ukraine and Russia in Stalemate

Mr. Zelenskyy announced on Monday plans to hold a “global peace summit,” to outline a path to ending the war, though both Ukrainian and Russian leadership refuse at present to accept a negotiated settlement.

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Mr. Zelenskyy said last week that a ceasefire would benefit Russian aggression and not lead to political dialogue. Rather, he said, peace plans should mandate the expulsion of all Russian troops from occupied parts of Ukraine.

For its part, Moscow portrays the conflict as necessary to counter a perceived threat that could arise if Ukraine joined NATO.

As recently as last month, Russian President Vladimir Putin said he would not withdraw Russian troops from Ukraine until they had achieved Ukraine’s total demilitarization and permanent neutrality, which would effectively render Ukraine a Russian vassal state.

“There will be peace when we ... achieve our goals,” Mr. Putin said during a press conference.

“Victory will be ours.”

Despite tough talk from both sides, fighting in Ukraine has drawn down to a brutal stalemate, with neither side able to effectively gain ground for the time being.

Mr. Zelenskyy’s ongoing tour through Europe owes in large part to recognition of the situation on the ground, and an understanding that American support for Ukraine would likely crater should former President Donald Trump be reelected later in the year.

Mr. Trump overwhelmingly won caucuses in Iowa earlier this week, signaling his continued dominance in the Republican party. The former president has vowed to cut all support to Ukraine and compel the nation to seek peace with Russia.

To that end, Mr. Zelenskyy delivered a direct plea to international partners for increased assistance, and linked Ukraine’s bloody struggle to defend itself to the security of Europe and the United States more broadly.

“We count on continued U.S. support, which is essential for our country,” Mr. Zelenskyy said.

“Please, strengthen our economy, and we will strengthen your security.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report