Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said he hopes U.S. President Donald Trump will bring about a "just" end to Russia's war against his country and that he supports the new administration's push for increased defense spending by NATO nations.
"Trump, he told me, and he later publicly stated it, that he will be doing everything to end the war this year," Zelenskiy told gathered leaders at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, on January 21.
"We want to end the war this year. But not only with the word 'rapidly,' but also 'justly,'" Zelenskiy stressed, adding that Ukrainians deserved the right to live in “security.”
SEE ALSO: NATO Defense Ministers Discuss Trump’s Suggested Increase In Spending To 5 Percent Of GDPTrump is expected to speak at the WEF by video on January 23, one of his first major foreign policy discussions since resuming the presidency on January 20, although he may focus on trade issues, such as potential tarrifs.
Organizers said the Davos event brings together some 3,000 leaders from more than 130 countries, including 350 governmental officials and 60 heads of states and governments.
Zelenskiy, in his speech to the Forum, also offered support for Trump’s call that NATO members should increase defense spending to 5 percent of gross domestic product (GDP), despite complaints from many members that it would destroy their national budgets.
Most nations struggled to reach the current stated goal of 2 percent of GDP, although 23 alliance members reached that level in 2024.
"They can all afford it, but they should be at 5 percent not 2 percent," Trump said prior to taking office for his second term.
The United States spends 3.38 percent of GDP on defense. Given the size of the U.S. economy, that accounts for more than 60 percent of NATO's total.
Zelenskiy told the Davos gathering that if 5 percent of GDP is the level needed for proper security, countries should commit to it without speculating on what they might have to give up regarding health care or pensions.
He warned that Europe cannot afford to fall behind its allies, saying, "If this happens, the world will move forward without Europe."
Zelenskiy's called for real energy independence for Europe, stressing the urgent need for nations to wean themselves from Russian gas while they seek guarantees of security from Washington.
"Europe must step up with long-term strategies for energy independence. It's wrong to keep buying gas from Moscow while expecting security from the Americans."
Zelenskiy called for the joint production of military technologies, including drones and air defense systems, citing the successful examples of cooperation between Ukraine and European partners in producing drones.