If it depended on Ukraine, the war would be over tomorrow, says Zelenskyy’s top aide

Europe can't allow itself to be second or third in line for its allies, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in his speech in Davos, delivering a stark wake-up call for the continent once more.

The message couldn't be more urgent: Russia's all-out war against Ukraine, now in its third year, remains at everyone's doorstep. Battles involving North Korean soldiers are now happening in places geographically closer to Davos than to Pyongyang, the Ukrainian leader said.

The head of his administration, Andriy Yermak, told Euronews that Ukraine needs the continent's backing to end the war it never wanted to happen in the first place.

“We are a victim of this aggression, and we really want to restore a just peace. We want to end this war. But of course, this year in Davos, the president’s speech and his address were specially for this momentum and for Europe,” Yermak explained.

Zelenskyy's speech in Davos came just one day after US President Donald Trump's inauguration, and Kyiv authorities remain confident that the new US administration will stand by Ukraine.

“We appreciate the readiness of the president of the US and the new administration to really make it a reality and put an end to the war by just peace”, Yermak said. When it comes to Russia’s aggression, "it is necessary to be together: Europe, the United States with Ukraine and go to the peace through the force.’ 

During the presidential debate, Trump refused to say whether he wanted Ukraine to win the war against Russia, avoiding the direct question on this matter. He said: “I want the war to stop," claiming he can end it in 24 hours. 

Yermak said there is no need to overanalyse Trump’s speech or search for any hidden meaning.

“Everybody understands: it is necessary to end this war by just peace. On our side, we always said that victory is equal to just peace. It means that for us there is no alternative," Yermak said.

As for the US president’s other promise to end the war in one day, Yermak preferred not to mention any timeframe.

“I think nobody on this planet knows exactly when this war will be over. If it depended on Ukraine and all democratic world, it would be finished tomorrow.” 

Yet, Russia's Vladimir Putin and the Kremlin want to have this war, he said, and their plan — to forcefully take control of an entire neighbouring country but also lay waste to European values and its democratic order — remains the same.

"This is the war for Russia: it is not a war for territory; it is a war against democracy, and it is a war against the free world. They want to destroy Ukraine, but it has been three years. We are still fighting, we are still strong, and we are still brave," Yermak explained.

"And I am absolutely sure that we will get this just peace, together with our friends and together with our partners."