Zelensky tears into Europe over Russia and Trump

Ukraine 'living in Groundhog Day' says country's leader as first trilateral talks with Moscow and US to take place today

- ALEX CROFT

Volodymyr Zelensky has launched a scathing attack on European leaders over their support for Ukraine during an astonishing speech to the global elite at Davos.

Taking to the stage shortly after meeting with Donald Trump, the Ukrainian president declared Kyiv was living in “Groundhog Day”, adding that Europe “loves to discuss the future but avoids taking action” against Russia. He added: “Every forum like this one proves it. Just last year, here in Davos, I ended my speech with the words ‘Europe needs to know how to defend itself.’ A year has passed, and nothing has changed.”

The Ukrainian president did, however, indicate progress during his remarks at the World Economic Forum in Switzerland, announcing that Ukraine, Russia and the US will hold their first trilateral peace talks in the United Arab Emirates today.

Mr Trump described his meeting with Mr Zelensky as “very good” during brief comments after it concluded. Earlier in the day, the US president reiterated his previous claims that a peace deal in Ukraine was “close”. The US president’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, and his special envoy, Steve Witkoff, were due to hold talks with Vladimir Putin in Moscow late yesterday.