Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky spoke via video link at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos. The politician urged the governments of the participating countries to increase the pressure of sanctions on Russia, increase the supply of weapons to Ukraine, as well as take part in the reconstruction of the country after the end of the conflict.
“We stopped the Russian army, which is called the second army of the world. And at the cost of heavy clashes, at the cost of thousands of lives, we are gradually expelling the invaders from our lands,” he said.
“It is possible to prevent military aggression only by using preventive sanctions,” Zelensky added. “We need an embargo on the import of Russian oil, we need sanctions on all Russian banks, there should be no trade with the Russian Federation,” said the Ukrainian leader.
It also asked international companies with operations in Russia to shut them down so that they would not be “associated with war crimes.”
“We advise all companies leaving the Russian market to continue working in Ukraine. You will have access to our market of 40 million buyers and that’s how your business will flourish. You will support core values, you will support freedom,” said Zelensky.
In addition, the President of Ukraine proposed freezing the assets of the “aggressive country” and then diverting these funds to the restoration of Ukraine. “Russian assets scattered across many jurisdictions must be found, confiscated or frozen and then transferred to a special fund,” he said.
After the end of hostilities, countries and large international companies can take “protection” over “a certain region of Ukraine, a city, a community or an industry”.
“Weapons, finance, political support, sanctions – if we had received 100% of their needs in February, the result would have been tens of thousands of lives saved. That’s why Ukraine needs all the weapons we want, not just the weapons that are provided to us. That is why we need financing, at least 5 billion dollars and the entire amount of funds for recovery, ”the politician summarized.
“The Chinese have sent a clear message”
US Senator Michael McCall, who was in the hall during Zelensky’s video message, later told CNN that the Chinese delegation reacted unfriendly to the Ukrainian leader’s speech. After the end of his speech, the audience gave Zelensky a standing ovation – everyone except the Chinese.
After his speech, they did not applaud like everyone else, did not stand up, left the hall. The Chinese sent a clear message – they don’t support Ukraine, they don’t support Zelensky,” McCall said.
As proof, the congressman showed on CNN a photo of PRC representatives sitting while the rest of the applause stood.
neutral status
Former Secretary of State and National Security Advisor to the President of the United States, Henry Kissinger, said in his speech at the WEF that the ultimate goal in this case should be the neutral status of Ukraine.
“The ideal outcome would be for Ukraine to replace a neutral state as a bridge between Russia and Europe,” he said, adding that he called for it eight years ago when Ukraine’s entry into NATO was first discussed (TASS quote). Kissinger believes that under the current circumstances Ukraine’s neutral status “as it was then” is no longer attainable.
According to the former secretary of state, the resolution process in Ukraine should start within the next two months. Otherwise, more serious consequences can be expected for international relations.
“I think the movement towards negotiations and peace needs to begin in the next two months to determine the outcome before the consequences and challenges, including relations between Russia and Europe, will be even more difficult to deal with. Europe and Ukraine,” he said.
“The ideal would be to return the dividing line to the status quo,” the politician added.
The World Economic Forum will be held from 22-26 May in Davos, Switzerland. One of the main issues is expected to be the situation in Ukraine.
The event is held in person for the first time after a two-year hiatus. About 2 thousand people came to Davos, 50 of which were world leaders. Neither Russia nor the USA will be present at the forum.
Source: Gazeta
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