Speech in Davos: Selenskyj sees Russia's "hidden war" - and "historic turning point"

Created: 05/24/2022, 05:00

By: Cindy Boden

Russian delegations will not play a role at the World Economic Forum in Davos in 2022 - Ukrainians even more so.

Selenskyj sends an appeal to the world.

News ticker.

• Annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos

  : The meeting is marked by the Ukraine conflict, the Corona crisis and climate change.

  The President of Ukraine gave the opening

  speech at the WEF 2022

  .

• Selenskyj in Davos

  :

  The world must not wait for Russia to use more deadly weapons.

• In Davos,

  Wladimir Klitschko  called for

  Russia's total isolation

  .

• This

  news ticker on Volodymyr Zelenskyy's speech at the World Economic Forum

  is continuously updated.

Update from May 23, 3:25 p.m.:

After the opening speech by Volodymyr Selenskyj in Davos

, the Ukrainian ex-boxing world champion Wladimir Klitschko also spoke.

Because of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, he called for a complete isolation of Russia.

"The war will last as long as the world trades with Russia," the 46-year-old said in a roundtable at the World Economic Forum.

He also called for Russian athletes to be excluded from the Olympic Games.

"It has nothing to do with the nationality or the athletes, but they represent the aggressive regime of Russia," he said.

At the same time, the ex-boxer emphasized that Ukraine would not give up its resistance: "We will fight as long as we live."

His brother Vitali Klitschko, Mayor of Kyiv, who was also present, said of the bitter resistance against the Russian attackers: "We Ukrainians defend our children, families and the future of our children - and the Russian soldiers fight for money." Russia got the country three months ago invaded because it sees Ukraine as part of the Russian Empire.

"Don't believe the Russians, they always cheat," said Vitali Klitschko.

Wladimir Klitschko (left), former Ukrainian professional boxer, and his brother Vitali Klitschko, Mayor of Kyiv and also a former professional boxer, speak on stage during a panel discussion during the 51st annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos.

© Laurent Gillieron/KEYSTONE/dpa

Selenskyj speaks in Davos: Ukraine President calls for more preventive action

Update from May 23, 12 noon:

Volodymyr Zelenskyj's opening speech was marked by some of the Ukrainian President's views beyond the Ukraine war.

He explained what his country needs for reconstruction and what a path could look like

.

As expected, Zelenskyy also verbally attacked Russia

.

But he also denounced the current situation worldwide – more preventive action had to be

.

Further sanctions would have to follow, one should not wait for the use of even worse weapons from Russia

Zelenskyj switched on in Davos: The speech from the Ukraine to read

Update from May 23, 11:59 a.m .:

"The fall of Ukraine would trigger a much deeper and broader crisis," says Zelenskyj at the end of his speech in Davos.

"We constantly need your help, including financial help." And: "We have to take military action against the aggression, but on the other hand we have to use financial means to keep our economy alive," appealed the Ukrainian president.

This ends the switch.

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Update from May 23, 11:53 a.m .:

Another question for Selenskyj concerns concerns about a major food crisis in the world in view of the Ukraine war.

"First of all, we have to make a strategic decision about unblocking the Black Sea ports" that are blocked by Russia.

In addition, Russian troops would steal Ukrainian supplies from the south of the country.

“Who actually buys this stolen grain?” asks Zelenskyj.

The removal of the stolen grain must be prevented.

Humanitarian corridors for food would have to be created.

Update from May 23, 11:48 a.m .:

Every day Selenskyj starts to find out "how many people we lost during the night", the Ukrainian President in Davos answers a question.

That night, 87 civilians were rescued from a river, he says.

"I don't want to talk too much about the emotions though.

Our country loses a lot every day.

At the same time, that makes us stronger.” This is a “people's war for our freedom”.

And: “We are firmly convinced: Victory awaits us at the front.

We will live in a country where society and the people are united,” hopes Zelenskyy.

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy addresses participants via video link at a plenary session opening the 51st annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos.

© Laurent Gillieron/KEYSTONE/dpa

Ukraine war: Selenskyj gives speech in Davos at the WEF 2022: "The world had to pay a big price"

Update from May 23, 11:44 a.m .:

Russia’s war of aggression is causing chaos and hunger in the world.

"We all have to act quickly and preventively," said Selenskyj in his speech in Davos at the World Economic Forum.

"We should have learned that a long time ago, because the world has had to pay a great price for this by reacting and not taking preventive action." With this, Selenskyj thanks him for the attention, he gets standing ovations from Davos.

Update from May 23, 11:39 a.m .:

Selenskyj also talks about the reconstruction: "We are ready to keep broad perspectives open for international companies." He addresses all interested parties.

“We are ready for any cooperation.

We suggest that international partners adopt a partnership across regions, cities, and branches.

We would like to offer this model in post-war Ukraine.

We see this as the key to the success of the reconstruction.”

Zelenskyj in Davos on Russia's "covert war"

Update from May 23, 11:37 a.m.:

Preventing war would be a much more sensible approach against the aggressor, says Zelensky.

"We showed fighting spirit," says Selenskyj in Davos.

Selenskyj also knows that this caused a lot of astonishment in the world.

"Only now are we getting the sympathy of the world," Zelenskyj complains - even though Russia has been waging a "hidden war" since 2014.

Many societies put pressure on their governments, praises Zelenskyj citizens of different countries.

"The world is currently curious about what is to come, what will take effect to counteract the aggression." Zelenskyj calls this a "historic turning point".

He appealed: "Please do not wait for the use of deadly weapons, chemical weapons by the Russian Federation." It should not give the impression that the world is not capable of resistance.

“We all have to resort to the maximum effective sanctions.

Any aggressor who attacks a neighboring country should be punished immediately and severely,” Zelenskyy demands.

Until now, such sanctions against Russia would not be applied.

Zelenskyj calls for an embargo on Russian energy sources.

Update from May 23, 11:31 a.m .:

"History knows many turning points that have contributed to important changes in history," Selenskyj looks back in Davos.

"We already know exactly what an aggressor does when he doesn't encounter any resistance," says the Ukraine president, referring to the lessons of 1938. "Today we have many reactions to the aggression," says Zelenskyj.

But is it enough? he asked afterwards.

Update from May 23, 11:29 a.m .:

Selenskyj thanks him for “the great honor” of being able to speak in Davos.

"Turning point - this expression is no longer a mere rhetorical figure," says Zelenskyj.

The Russian Federation is not interested in any discussion.

"It's prepared to kill people." The Ukrainian President continued: "It's really frightening what Russia has done to itself by becoming a country of war criminals."

In the Ukraine war: Selenskyj opens the World Economic Forum in Davos

Update from May 23, 11:26 a.m .:

Klaus Schwab, founder of the World Economic Forum, welcomes the President of Ukraine.

Zelenskyj can be seen on the screen sitting at a desk with his arms folded.

Update from May 23, 11:24 a.m .:

Now the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Selenskyj, is connected in Davos.

He will give the opening speech at the WEF 2022.

Update from May 23, 11:23 a.m .:

The stage is being prepared for Selenskyj’s speech.

It will start soon.

Update from May 23, 11:01 a.m .:

In a few minutes, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Selenskyj is to open the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos - switched on.

He was briefly seen in the live stream, but still talking to someone else.

Apparently a transmission error.

It's about to start right away.

Ukraine main topic for the powerful: Zelenskyj opens Davos – WEF President wants “Marshall Plan”

First report:

Davos - The Ukraine war is currently overshadowing all international meetings - the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) is no exception.

The opening speech will be given on Monday (May 23) by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at 11:15 a.m.

It is switched on digitally.

Shortly afterwards, the Mayor of Kiev Vitali Klitschko and his brother Wladimir Klitschko will also be guests, from 12.30 p.m.

Representing Germany, Minister for Economic Affairs Robert Habeck (Greens) will first talk about how Germany intends to become less dependent on Russian energy.

Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) is scheduled to appear on Thursday.

WEF 2022 in Davos with Selenskyj: Meeting on Ukraine, Corona and climate change

At the four-day meeting in the Swiss Alps, almost 2,500 participants from politics, business and society discussed solutions to international problems.

The theme of the 2022 conference is “History at a Turning Point: Government Policies and Business Strategies”.

The agenda includes the consequences of the war on supply chains, energy supply and food security.

Other global crises that are the focus of the meeting: the corona pandemic and climate change.

Volodymyr Zelenskyj, President of Ukraine, is connected at the World Economic Forum in Davos (archive image) © Ukraine Presidency/Ukraine Presi/Planet Pix via ZUMA Press Wire/dpa

World Economic Forum in Davos: "We must already work on the reconstruction of Ukraine"

Even if there is no immediate end to the war in Ukraine in sight, debates about the reconstruction of the country are ongoing.

The President of the World Economic Forum, Børge Brende, has therefore called for a Marshall Plan.

"Even without a peace agreement, which is not very likely at the moment, we have to start working on reconstruction, at least in the areas that are under Ukrainian control," Brende told the

.

It's about infrastructure, electricity, schools, roads and bridges.

"We need a Marshall Plan for Ukraine."

With the Marshall Plan, named after the then US Secretary of State George Marshall, the United States had supported reconstruction in Western Europe with billions in the years after the Second World War.

Brende said he wants to promote the call for such a plan at the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos.

"We will also get the CEOs together for this - under the motto 'CEOs for Ukraine'." The private sector must also play an important role in the reconstruction of the country.

WEF 2022 in Davos: No Russian delegation at the annual conference

Because of the war, unlike usual, no Russian delegation will take part in the annual conference.

"Russia will be back if they comply with international law again," Brende announced.

Numerous Ukrainian politicians and foundations are represented.

Instead of the Russian House, there will be an exhibition that, according to the Victor Pinchuk Foundation, shows Russian war crimes.