Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has called on the West to tighten economic sanctions against Russia, saying business leaders in Davos must decide whether brute force should rule the world.
In a key video address to the World Economic Forum (WEF), Zelensky called for a full oil embargo, the separation of Russian banks from the global financial system, the complete isolation of Russia’s IT sector and a ban on trade with Russia.
Ukraine’s president has called for “maximum sanctions” against Vladimir Putin’s regime and said there would be no point in Davos if Russian aggression were allowed to prevail.
Noting that the story is at a turning point, Zelenski said: “This is really the moment when it is decided whether brute force will rule the world.”
Zelensky received a standing ovation and ended his 45-minute session at the WEF by sending a collective message to business leaders telling them to “wake up every morning feeling like ‘what have I done for Ukraine today?’
Russia’s absence from this year’s Davos summit has given Ukraine an opportunity to present its arguments for intensifying the West’s economic war against Russia, with Zelensky’s team at the WEF pushing for tougher action.
Earlier, Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine Yulia Sviridenko called for secondary sanctions against companies that continue to do business in Russia. “Now is not the time to analyze the costs and benefits. “We must completely cut Russia off from the world economy,” Sviridenko said.
Citing the Munich Agreement of 1938, Zelensky called for the withdrawal of all foreign companies from Russia so that they would not be used in the “bloody interests” of the Kremlin.
He said any company that leaves Russia is welcome to move to Ukraine, where they could help with the huge task of repairing the colossal damage to the economy, which is expected to shrink by at least 30% this year.
“We offer the world a chance to set a precedent for what happens if you try to destroy a neighbor,” he said. “I invite you to take part in this recovery.”
Zelensky said he was looking for alternative ways to take Ukrainian food out of the country after accusing Russia of stealing ready-to-export grain. Talks are under way with Poland to see if food can be shipped from Baltic ports.
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He added that an export corridor such as wheat and sunflower oil should be created to prevent a food crisis for countries in Africa and Asia.
Sir Lawrence Friedman, an honorary professor of military research at King’s College London, said he agreed with the urgent need for an international agreement to ensure a good corridor, as Ukraine’s food blockade “is serious”.
Friedman added: “Ukraine’s line is that there is no time to lose. Just hit hard, hit now and we need all the support we can get. And do not nod in the direction of the Russians, they have nothing to give you.
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