Zelenskyy: Deploying 40 troops to defend Greenland sends a signal to Putin

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has criticised Europe over its approach to security issues, including Greenland, during his speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos.

Zelenskyy criticised Europe for relying on NATO protection under the United States, despite NATO never having used its military power in practice.

"Today, Europe relies only on the belief that if danger comes, NATO will act. But no one has really seen the alliance in action. If Putin decides to take Lithuania or strike Poland, who will respond?" the president asked.

Zelenskyy also referenced the recent European military mission to Greenland. He said that sending 40 soldiers to protect a strategically important territory sends a signal to Russia and China.

"Europe needs to know how to defend itself. And if you send 14 or 40 soldiers to Greenland, what is that for? What message does it send? What's the message to Putin, to China? And even more importantly, what message does it send to Denmark?" he said.

The president suggested that Ukraine could assist Europe in destroying Russian warships near Greenland.

"And we know what to do if Russian warships are sailing freely around Greenland. Ukraine can help. We have the expertise and weapons to ensure not one of those ships remains. They can sink near Greenland just as they do near Crimea. No problem. We have the tools and we have people," Zelenskyy said, noting that Ukraine had not been asked to do so.

He also accused Europe of inaction regarding the situation in Iran. Zelenskyy said everyone expects the US to act against the regime of the Ayatollahs instead of taking independent measures.

"As for Iran, everyone is waiting to see what America will do. And the world offers nothing. Europe offers nothing and doesn't want to enter this issue… But when you refuse to help people fighting for freedom, the consequences return and they are always negative. Belarus in 2020 is an example. No one helped their people and now Russian Oreshnik missiles are deployed in Belarus within range of most European capitals. That would not have happened if the Belarusian people had won in 2020," Zelenskyy added, saying he had repeatedly called on European leaders to act against the Belarusian regime.

In the same speech, the Ukrainian president urged Europeans to stop Russian shadow fleet tankers, as the US has done.

Zelenskyy also criticised Europe for moving too slowly to hold Russian ruler Vladimir Putin accountable.