Zelenskiy Hails Trump’s Call to Boost US Energy Sway in Davos

(Bloomberg) -- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy sees things going in the right direction for his nation after Donald Trump’s inaugural pledge to expand US energy exports.

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“We need to make sure no European country is dependent on a single energy supplier – especially not Russia,” Zelenskiy said at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland on Tuesday.

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Zelenskiy spoke a day after Trump was sworn in as US president, opening a chapter of uncertainty for Ukraine, which heavily depends on military aid from Washington. Trump had earlier signaled that he planned to end the war in the first months of his presidency, but hasn’t said how.

European nations should boost their defense spending to as much as 5% of gross domestic product if need be, Zelenskiy said, a suggestion in tune with Trump’s earlier calls.

“It is not possible to keep buying gas in Moscow and at the same time keep demanding security guarantees, assistance and cooperation from the Americans,” Zelenskiy said.

The Ukrainian leader called on Europe to become more self-reliant and develop its industry, including military production and technology. The algorithms of social media giants such as TikTok are already more powerful than some of the continent’s governments, he said.

Ukraine has been fighting Russia’s full-scale invasion for nearly three years, and Moscow’s troops made significant gains across the frontline last year. The country’s 800,000-strong military is the continent’s largest army, the Ukrainian president said, urging Europe to unify its security and defense policy in the face of the threat from the east.

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