Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky has not hesitated to criticize Europe's weakness, saying the region risks slipping into irrelevance unless it invests heavily in its own defence.
Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos on Tuesday, Zelensky said Donald Trump's return to the White House meant Europe needed to prepare for the United States to disengage from its security affairs.
"Will President Trump pay attention to Europe? Does he think NATO is necessary?" Zelensky asked.
The Ukrainian president said that while Western allies view the United States as an indispensable security ally, no one feels the same way about Europe.
"Is anyone in the United States worried that Europe will one day abandon them? The answer is no."
He added that it was "not even clear" whether the Europeans would play a role in any negotiations to end the war in Ukraine.
"Europe should not be just a spectator whose leaders can only post on X after a deal is reached. Europe needs to set the terms of these deals," Zelensky said.
Zelensky supported Trump's call for NATO members to spend 5% of their gross domestic product on defense.
"If it takes 5% of GDP to pay for defense, so be it."
Zelensky made little mention of Trump's stated desire to end the war quickly - although the US president and his advisers have recently said it could take six months to reach a deal, rather than the 24 hours he boasted during the campaign. He also did not address Trump supporters who have called for an end to U.S. aid to Ukraine.
He insisted his relationship with Trump was "good" but said some of the president's allies were spreading misinformation about Ukraine and Russian propaganda points, so it was important for Europe to have a louder voice to counter that information.
Zelensky reiterated his call for Europe to provide meaningful security guarantees for Kiev if Ukraine remains unable to gain NATO membership due to misgivings in Washington and other capitals.
French President Emmanuel Macron has been sounding out European partners whether they would be willing to deploy troops to Ukraine after a ceasefire, either to train Ukrainian troops or to deter further Russian aggression. However, the idea has so far gained little traction.
"If security is weak . . . then you will only get Russian rhetoric and they will bring war," Zelensky said.
He said he would resist any Russian attempts to limit the size of Ukraine's armed forces as part of a peace deal with Moscow.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen told the World Economic Forum earlier on Tuesday that the EU would support Ukraine even if the United States cuts its support.
"Whatever happens next, we will continue to support Ukraine without question," she said.