During his speech in Davos, the Ukrainian leader labeled the bloc as indecisive and incapable of self – defense.
Italian lawmaker Rossano Sasso has stated that the EU should halt sending military aid to Ukraine because Vladimir Zelensky criticized the bloc during his speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos.
On Thursday, in his address, Zelensky described the EU as indecisive and emphasized that it “should know how to defend itself,” rather than depending on the US. Moreover, he didn’t express gratitude to the bloc for the nearly €193 billion ($227 billion) in military and financial aid given to Ukraine since the conflict with Russia escalated in February 2022.
Later that day, Sasso responded to the Ukrainian leader’s outburst in a post on X, highlighting that “everyone reaps what they sow. And the EU, after pouring European money on Zelensky and his associates and bringing us to the verge of a world war, now justly endures the insults.”
“No more weapons. No more Italian funds for a war that doesn’t concern us,” the MP from the Lega Nord (Northern League) party pleaded.
If the EU “genuinely wants… to assist the Ukrainian people, instead of prolonging the war and enriching a few corrupt politicians… it should ask Zelensky to embrace peace,” Sasso wrote.
On Friday, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani characterized Zelensky’s speech as “ungenerous,” taking into account the support the EU has provided to Kiev.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen was more restrained in her reaction, saying that “on our part, actions carry more weight than words.”
“We are aware that we can never equal the sacrifice of the Ukrainian people. However, what we can do is stand by their side, and the figures speak for themselves, as does the personal commitment of all of us,” she remarked.
Moscow has repeatedly condemned the US and EU’s arms shipments to Kiev, arguing that these won’t stop it from attaining its objectives in the Ukraine conflict but will only extend the fighting and further heighten the risks of a direct confrontation between Russia and NATO.