Zelensky talks about European unity at Davos

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, speaking at the World Economic Forum (WEF) at Davos a day after President Donald Trump took office in Washington, emphasised the need for Europe to strengthen itself, and remain an important player standing on its own feet.

His argument gains much importance because Trump does not want to contribute to NATO, the military alliance of Europe and the United States, more than the other members that it does now. Trump has been talking about NATO’s members raising their own contributions to the alliance. Zelensky said, “We need a unified European security and defence policy, and all European countries must be willing to spend as much on security as is truly needed.”

The Ukrainian president is making more than a general statement. He is doing more than doling out friendly advice to European leaders. He is indirectly pleading for the defence of Ukraine against Russia. While former American president Joe Biden had provided generous aid, military and financial to Ukraine, Trump is most likely to end the unconditional support. Trump is likely to push Ukraine into talks with Russia, and it will not be on Ukrainian terms. It is not surprising then that Zelensky is a worried man. Ukraine needs a strong Europe to survive.

The question does arise whether Europe can make itself strong and support Ukraine against Russia? The strong European economies like that of Germany and France are facing their own internal challenges. They are not in a position to provide the sophisticated military aid that Ukraine needs to hold Russia at bay, though they understand that Russia poses a danger to Europe on the democracy front.

Russian President Vladimir Putin would want to reconstruct the Cold War era Europe, where the Eastern European countries once again are part of the Russian sphere of influence. But there are many former Eastern European countries like Poland and Czechia who would not like to be part of the Russian circle again, while countries like Hungary might appear to be not averse to close relations with Russia. Belarus is already a close ally of Russia. It is the old game of balance of power again.

Western European countries are firmly wedded to democratic norms even as right-wing parties are on the rise in Germany and in France. The far-right parties may gain a temporary upper hand, but they will not remain in control for long.

This is quite different from Russia where President Putin has remained in power for a quarter century now. Europe is indeed at a crossroads right now, and it does face an identity challenge of its own. Ukraine seems to provide the test for which way Europe would turn.

In the early 20th century, the neutrality of Belgium was the test. When Germany violated it, then the world wars broke out. Ukraine could prove to be the Belgium for Europe in the new century.

Zelensky has then touched a raw nerve of Europe, pointing to the very identity of what Europe wants to be after the horrors of Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy. The fascists have made a comeback in Italy and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s success is proof of that.

In the national elections due in February, the far-right Alternative for Germany or AfD looks to gain ground in Germany. American tycoon and close aide of President Trump Elon Musk has already declared his support for AfD.

Zelensky would need a liberal Europe to support Ukraine, and the liberals all over Europe are on slippery ground. The return of Trump in America, and the far-right parties in Europe on the verge of success, are coincidental. It would be wrong to imagine a grand conspiracy at play in the Western world.