Ukraine’s Zelensky questions US commitment to Europe’s future.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who has questioned the United States’ commitment to its Atlantic allies, said President Donald Trump’s decision to focus on domestic issues in his first term in office did not concern him about the future of Europe.

“All eyes are on Washington right now, but who’s watching Europe these days?” Zelenskyy asked an audience of business leaders and heads of state in Davos, Switzerland, in a speech on Tuesday.

Zelenskyy sought to appeal to European officials and businesses, warning that the region’s security was at risk as Trump showed where the first executive orders signed after his inauguration were located on Monday.

Suspending the TikTok ban instituted in the final days of former Joe Biden’s administration, declaring a national border emergency and backing away from climate goals are among Trump’s first orders as the 47th president of the United States.

“Does President Trump even care about Europe? Does he see NATO as important and respect EU institutions?” Zelenskyy asked, international relations are changing, Europe now can and will leave the US in crisis. Washington does not share this concern, Zelensky said.

“Is there anyone in the United States who is worried that one day Europe will abandon them, that they can stop being their partner? The answer is “no”, he told the delegates.

“Europe cannot afford to be second and third with (US) allies. If this happens, the world will start moving forward without Europe… Europe must compete to be first in terms of priorities, alliances and technological development.”

According to the leader of Ukraine, the region must establish itself as a “strong, global player”.

Zelensky’s presence and address gave Kiev a key opportunity to press its case against newly-elected President Donald Trump’s push for Ukraine to reach a ceasefire with Russia.

February marks the 3rd anniversary of Russia’s invasion, and war fatigue is growing amid uncertainty over future aid to help Ukraine fight Russian advances in the south and east of the country.

While Western allies have pledged military support to Kiev, Trump has been ambivalent about continuing US aid, having previously boasted that he would end the war within 24 hours of becoming president.

Ukraine’s allies in Europe have expressed concern that Kiev could push for an unfair peace deal with Moscow that would force it to vacate territory currently held by Russia. Critics fear that such an arrangement would allow Russia to regroup, rearm, and later attempt to annex more territory.

On Tuesday, Everlasting warned that Europe would be barred from any peace talks on Ukraine, and that the US would monitor the talks alone with Russia and China.

“Right now, it’s unclear whether Europe will have a seat at the table when the war on our country ends, and we’ll see how much influence China has on Russia. I’m very grateful to Europe for all the support it’s given me. Country, but will President Trump listen to Europe or negotiate with Russia and China without Europe?” he asked.

President Trump has already questioned the possibility of a closer relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin during his first term in office.

Trump, on the other hand, expressed more mixed feelings toward President Zelensky. In the past, they called him both “the most respected” and “the greatest seller”.