Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has called on Europe to confiscate Russian oil, strengthen sanctions and urgently build a united European defence force, warning that the continent risks remaining weak and reactive if it fails to act decisively against Russian aggression.

Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Zelensky said Russian oil shipments moving along European shores were directly funding Moscow’s war against Ukraine and undermining Europe’s own security.

“Russian oil is being transported right along European shores. That oil funds the war against Ukraine. That oil helps destabilise Europe,” he said. “So Russian oil must be stopped, confiscated and sold for Europe’s benefit. Why not? If Putin has no money, there is no war.”

Zelenskyy argued that Europe’s security could not be sustained by belief alone, particularly belief that NATO — and especially the United States — would always intervene in the event of an attack.

“Today, Europe relies only on its belief that if danger comes, NATO will act,” he said. “But no one has really seen the Alliance in action. If Putin decides to strike Poland or take Lithuania, who will respond?”

He warned that NATO’s deterrence currently rests on the assumption that Washington would step in, adding pointedly: “But what if it doesn’t?”

Against that backdrop, Zelenskyy renewed his call for a unified European military force capable of defending the continent independently.

“I’ve said it before and I’ll repeat it again: Europe needs united armed forces — forces that can truly defend Europe,” he said.

He criticised what he described as symbolic or insufficient defence deployments, citing the dispatch of a small number of troops to Greenland as an example.

“If you send 40 soldiers to Greenland, what is that for? What message does it send to Putin? To China? And more importantly, what message does it send to Denmark?” Zelenskyy asked. “Forty soldiers will not protect anything.”

The Ukrainian president said Europe must clearly commit to defending key regions through permanent bases and credible military capability, warning that half-measures would only weaken deterrence.

Zelenskyy also pointed to Belarus as a cautionary tale, arguing that Europe’s failure to support pro-democracy movements in 2020 had allowed Russia to deploy missiles there, now within range of European capitals.

“That would not have happened if the Belarusian people had won in 2020,” he said. “Missiles are never just decoration.”

On sanctions, Zelenskyy acknowledged existing European measures against Russia but said they were not strong enough to stop the war.

“It’s good that many sanctions exist. Russian oil is getting cheaper. But the flow has not stopped,” he said. “Russian companies that fund Putin’s war machine are still working, and that will not change without more sanctions.”

He urged Europe to make its sanctions as effective and intimidating as those imposed by the United States.

“If Europe is not seen as a global force, if its actions don’t scare bad actors, then Europe will always be reacting, catching up with new dangers and attacks,” he warned.

Zelenskyy also highlighted continued loopholes allowing Russia to acquire components for missile production, saying Moscow could not build ballistic or cruise missiles without foreign technology.

“It’s not only China,” he said. “Russia gets components from companies in Europe, the United States and Taiwan.”

While thanking partners for supporting Ukraine’s air defence and energy infrastructure, Zelenskyy questioned whether it would not be cheaper and more effective to cut Russia off entirely from the components needed to produce weapons — or to eliminate the factories producing them.

“Russian missiles and drones are still here. We still have the coordinates of the factories where they are made,” he said. “Today they target Ukraine. Tomorrow, it could be any NATO country.”

Turning to Europe’s internal politics, Zelenskyy criticised divisions among European leaders, parties and states, saying they were preventing the continent from acting as a true global power.

“Instead of becoming a truly global power, Europe remains a beautiful but fragmented kaleidoscope of small and middle powers,” he said. “Europe still feels more like a geography and a tradition than a real political force.”

He warned that some leaders were “from Europe, but not always for Europe”, and said reliance on others to defend European interests was incompatible with great-power status.

“You can’t build a new world order out of words,” Zelenskyy said. “Only actions create real order.”

On diplomacy, Zelenskyy revealed that Ukraine was in active talks with the United States, including with President Donald Trump, aimed at ending the war, saying draft documents were “nearly ready”.

“Ukraine is working with full honesty and determination, and that brings results,” he said. “But the pressure must be strong enough, and the support for Ukraine must grow even stronger.”

He concluded with a call for courage and urgency, warning that Europe could no longer rely on faith or hope alone.

“Faith is not enough. Intellectual discussions cannot stop wars. We need action,” Zelenskyy said. “Without action now, there is no tomorrow. Europe can and must be a global force — one that defines the future, not one that reacts too late.”

The Ukrainian leader ended his address by reaffirming Ukraine’s readiness to stand with Europe to defend shared values and security.

“We are ready to be part of a Europe that truly matters — a Europe of real power,” he said. “Because when Ukraine is with you, no one will wipe their feet on you. Act in time.”

He closed with the words: “Thank you. Slava Ukraini.” (AriseNews TV)

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