Vladimir Putin is a "predator" who will not be satisfied with a "frozen" conflict in Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky issued a fresh warning to the West on Tuesday (16 January) from the Davos Economic Forum, calling on allies to step up their support for Kyiv in the war against Moscow.
Procrastination by the West in its support for Ukraine and risks of an escalation of the war by Russia could prolong the war by several years, he warned.
"In fact, Putin is the embodiment of war ... It will not change (...) We need to change. We all need to change so that the madness that resides in the head of this man or any other aggressor does not take over," Volodymyr Zelenksy said.
"After 2014, attempts were made to freeze the war in Donbass. There were very influential guarantors, the German chancellor, the French president. But Putin is a predator who is not satisfied with frozen products," the Ukrainian leader said during his speech at the World Economic Forum.
'Positive signals'
Nearly two years into the Russian invasion, Ukraine's president has strongly opposed a stalemate in the conflict. The Davos Forum comes as Ukrainian troops have taken a more defensive stance after a major counteroffensive last year failed to break Russia's defensive lines.
Kiev is now trying to secure Western aid from Brussels and Washington. Responding to questions from journalists following his speech, Volodymyr Zelensky said he had received "positive signals" about the release of funds by the European Union.
He said he hoped the U.S. would approve additional aid in the coming weeks. On the sidelines of the Forum, Volodymyr Zelensky met with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg.
With Reuters and AFP
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