Analysis of Zelensky’s historic WEF speech: West makes optimists despair

Selenski, who gave a 20-minute speech in English to an almost full hall, said that he was asked many times whether it was time for negotiations. He warned the Ukrainian president that now is not the time for this. “Negotiations are now leading to a frozen conflict. Putin is a predator who is not satisfied with frozen products.”

Russia as a system only functions as long as it wages war. Putin failed to deliver economic victories to the “slave people”. So he relies entirely on reports of military success. Anyone who believes he will hold back after negotiations is naive.

While doing this, it also rejects the circles that have been trying behind the scenes to bring the Ukrainian government to the negotiation table for a long time. “Only a stable and secure peace based on our peace plan can guarantee this,” Zelensky said.

Zelensky emphasized once again that Russia is not interested in this war with Ukraine, but in a greater conquest that will not stop at any borders. The European community must stand together and do everything possible to contain the danger. Otherwise, he may face greater difficulties.

Addressing European leaders, Zelensky said, “Strengthen our economy, then we will strengthen your security.” No country in Europe has such a strong army and such brave fighting people as Ukraine. He warned that bloody work was being carried out but that more support was urgently needed.

What is striking is that the Ukrainian president, at the very beginning of his speech, mentioned a number of countries in the global south that have suffered from Putin’s aggression in recent years. This naming is a clear call to previously neutral countries to turn against Russia and join the community of states resolutely opposed to Putin.

The appeal to the global south can be read as a sign of desperation. Zelenskiy realizes that he is receiving less and less understanding and less and less weapons from the rich North and the powerful American West. That’s why he’s looking for new allies to win his fight.

Once-successful TV comedian Selenski ended his show at the WEF hall with a brief question-and-answer session, wearing translation headphones. He continued speaking in English and heard a Ukrainian translation. Zelensky paused briefly, laughed and said: “Now they are translating my answers into Ukrainian. Beautiful! “I think the translator’s voice is even more beautiful than mine.”

A small joke but still a big moment. It shows: Zelensky cannot be broken. Even after two of the most brutal years his troubled country has left behind, he hasn’t completely lost his sense of humor.