Davos updates: Zelenskyy warns 'predator' Putin won't change

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has told the World Economic Forum that his country needs planes to have a chance of decisive victory on the ground. 

"We must gain air superiority for Ukraine. Just as we gained superiority in the Black Sea, we can do it. This will allow progress on the ground," he said. "Partners know what is needed and in what quantity."

Zelenskyy has long called on Western allies to provide warplanes to replace aging Soviet models, and he has received promises of US-made F-16s from several countries. Ukraine is also in talks with Sweden about the acquisition of Gripen fighter jets.

The Ukrainian president dismissed the idea that Putin could be persuaded to stop pursuing his invasion of Ukraine in the long term, even if fighting were to stop on the frontlines.

"After 2014, there were attempts to freeze the war in Donbas. There were very influential guarantors, the Chancellor of Germany, the President of France. But Putin is a predator who is not satisfied with frozen products," Zelenskyy said.

Zelenskyy's speech was rounded off with a standing ovation from the room.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has told delegates at Davos that the world must do more to counter the threat posed by Russia under President Vladimir Putin.  

Zelenskyy said Putin was behind various global conflicts, not only in Ukraine, and urged the world to prepare for what he might do next.

"Putin is trying to normalize what should have ended in the 20th century: Mass deportations, cities and villages razed to the ground, and the terrifying feeling that the war may never end," Zelenskyy said in his keynote speech to the World Economic Forum.

"Putin embodies war. We all know that he is the sole reason why various wars and conflicts persist and why all attempts to restore peace have failed."

"And he will not change... We must change."

"We all must change to the extent that the madness that resides in this man's head, or any other aggressor's head, will not prevail."

"Putin is frank about what he wants, what he does, and who his targets are," said Zelenskyy, adding that Putin did not want an end to the war and was eager to sow more chaos. 

"If anyone thinks this is only about us, this is only about Ukraine, they are fundamentally mistaken."  

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met executives of JP Morgan, the largest US lender, and other major international investors in Davos.

Zelenskyy urged participants at the meeting, "CEOs for Ukraine," to invest in Ukraine and pointed out that, despite the war with Russia, the country had recently seen economic growth.

"I highlighted Ukraine's economic growth exceeding 5% in 2023, as well as optimistic forecasts for 2024," he posted on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter.

"I encouraged the participants to invest in Ukraine and contribute to its recovery. It is important to be in Ukraine, to increase investment, and to support our economy."

"Attracting private capital to rebuild Ukraine is important to us. We hope that JP Morgan will help attract a large number of global investors and corporations to the Ukrainian economy."

German Economy Minister Robert Habeck has said he does not expect major supply chain problems because of attacks on shipping by Houthi rebels in the Red Sea.

"There are already delays in the supply chain because the ships are now traveling around the long way," the Green politician said on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos.

At present, some ships are traveling around Africa rather than using the Red Sea corridor to the Suez Canal, which provides a shortcut from the Arabian Sea to the Mediterranean. The diversion takes several days longer.

"Everyone tells me it'll fix itself," said Habeck, who is also Germany's vice-chancellor. "The transport costs didn't play such a big role that there will be massive problems."

Habeck represents Germany at Davos alongside fellow Green Party politician and German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock.  

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has told delegates at Davis that Ukraine's allies must guarantee stable support for Kyiv amid questions over future support from the United States and EU.  

"Ukraine can prevail in this war. But we must continue to empower their resistance," she told the World Economic Forum.

"Ukrainians need predictable financing throughout 2024 and beyond. They need a sufficient and sustained supply of weapons to defend Ukraine and regain its rightful territory." 

EU leaders are due to hold a summit on February 1, seeking to overcome Hungary's block on providing €50 billion ($54.5 billion) in financial aid to Ukraine over the next four years. 

Budapest, which is Moscow's closest ally in the 27-nation EU, has indicated it could agree to the package if it is given the chance to veto further payments each year.

Von der Leyen also told delegates at Davos that Europe needs to improve in the field of artificial intelligence (AI). 

"Our future competitiveness depends on AI adoption in our daily business. And Europe must up its game and show the way to responsible use of AI," told the World Economic Forum.

Member states and European Parliament lawmakers in December agreed a text that seeks to rein in the potential misuse of AI, such as biometric surveillance and manipulation of human behavior. At the same, however, the bloc hopes to foster innovation in the sector.

Chinese Premier Li Qiang has condemned green and technological trade barriers as he addressed the annual meeting of global political and economic elites in Davos.

Li said "new discriminatory trade and investment measures" had appeared each year and that "any obstacles or disruptions can slow down or block the flow of lifeblood of the world economy."

However, Qiang said his country's economy was expected to have grown in 2023.

"Our GDP growth is expected to be around 5.2%, higher than the target of around 5% that we set at the beginning of last year," Li said.

Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed Bin Abdulrahman al-Thani told the World Economic Forum that defusing the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza will stop the escalation on other fronts in the Middle East. 

He said that concentrating on attacks by Yemen's Houthi rebels on shipping in the Red Sea, which led to retaliatory strikes by the US and Britain was "focusing on the symptoms and not treating the real issue."

Al-Thani, who was among the opening speakers at Davos, said the current regional situation is a "recipe for escalation everywhere."

"We should focus on the main conflict in Gaza. And as soon as it's defused, I believe everything else will be defused," he said, adding that a two-state solution was required to end the conflict.

Al-Thani, one of the first speakers at Davos, also warned a military confrontation "will not contain" the Houthi attacks.

"I think that what we have right now in the region is a recipe of escalation everywhere," he added.

Founder and Executive Chairman of the World Economic Forum, Klaus Schwab, its President, Borge Brende and President of the Swiss Confederation, Viola Amherd, hold opening remarks on the first full day of the World Economic Forum.

Delivering the keynote address in person on the first full day at Davos is Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

In the face of Russian aggression, Zelenskyy opted to address the last two meetings of the World Economic Forum by video link.

When making his appeals for assistance this year, he faces increasing war fatigue in European Union capitals and the United States.

Directly after the opening address by WEF founder Klaus Schwab, Chinese Prime Minister Li Qiang was scheduled to speak. 

Also set to speak on Tuesday are European Union Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, and US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan.

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella is scheduled to speak at the conference in the evening.

Germany is represented for opening day panel discussions by Economy Minister Robert Habeck and Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock. Chancellor Olaf Scholz will not attend.

The World Economic Forum is opening after a curtain-raising report struck a gloomy note about challenges that face political and business leaders across the globe.

The forum always releases a risk report ahead of its annual meeting in the Swiss mountain resort of Davos.

This year's assessment warns of particular dangers surrounding the spread of misinformation and disinformation in a year that has seen several major elections worldwide.  The authors noted that the impact of artificial intelligence could make the problem even worse.

In the longer term, looming climate and environmental risks were seen as the biggest threat, including loss of biodiversity and increased competition for natural resources.

The overview also highlighted the apparently waning ability of global institutions to deal with escalating problems.

rc/lo (AFP, AP, dpa, Reuters)