BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 24. The World
Economic Forum in Davos can be viewed as a symbol of the
contradictions of the modern world. The shocks and crises in the
world economy, environmental problems, as well as excitement
against the background of the rapid development of artificial
intelligence, are at the head of the issues that concern states and
nations.
Meanwhile, military actions in Ukraine are one of the most
important topics of discussion at the Davos Forum. At the center of
the political volcano in question is the head of Ukraine, Volodymyr
Zelenskyy.
Addressing world leaders, Zelenskyy did what true leaders do
during the most difficult times. He did not beg for help; he did
not try to satisfy others. His speech was a declaration of
defiance.
“Let all the world’s allies unite—we will still not recognize
the occupied territories. It is impossible,” said Volodymyr
Zelenskyy, whose words are imprinted in the minds of everyone ready
to sacrifice international law for the sake of energy stability and
peace of mind.
Ukraine is now a barricade where the fate of international law
is being decided, and Volodymyr Zelenskyy reminded everyone of
this. He stated that peace is possible only if there are security
guarantees. Otherwise, it will be a new pre-war break. His words
sounded like a message to those who jeopardize Ukraine’s
sovereignty, turning this sovereignty into a bargaining chip.
The rhetoric about “realistic solutions” among allies began to
sound louder. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz declared in Davos, “We
must seek peaceful ways that are acceptable to all sides, even if
this requires difficult decisions.”
In other circumstances, these words might have sounded like a
voice of reason, but in the Ukrainian context, it is perceived as a
betrayal. This is because for Europe, “difficult decisions” mean
concessions to Russia, which is unacceptable for Kiev. Zelenskyy
demonstrated that he fully understands this point. His position was
uncompromising: there would be no compromises at the expense of
Ukraine’s sovereignty.
UK-based analyst Timothy Ash assessed the mood in Europe as
follows: “Europe is starting to lose ground. They are more
concerned with their problems than with the fight for Ukraine’s
freedom”.
On the sidelines of the forum, Zelenskyy held several meetings
dictated by the need to strengthen Ukraine’s position in the
world.
One of the main events was negotiations with South African
President Cyril Ramaphosa. Volodymyr Zelenskyy recalled the
importance of consolidating global efforts based on the principles
of the UN Charter to achieve a just peace.
The meeting with the President of Israel, Isaac Herzog, was
another notable event. The topics of security and humanitarian
cooperation were raised as important areas of relations between the
two countries, which historically have been able to fight for their
right to exist.
The meeting with the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev
attracted special attention. During the conversation, they
discussed ties between Azerbaijan and Ukraine in political,
economic, and humanitarian areas; cooperation in the energy sector;
and regional security issues.
The most striking diplomatic move was Zelenskyy’s refusal to
meet with the Prime Minister of Slovakia, Robert Fico. The action
was a demonstration of principle: Ukraine no longer intends to
waste time with Moscow’s backers.
The Davos Forum 2025 became a battleground between two
approaches. On the one hand, there were proposals to make
concessions in the name of a “realistic peace.” On the other, a
principled struggle for territorial integrity, international law,
and independence.
On one side, politically and economically, Europe, which has
been costly to the war, is tired. On the other side was Ukraine,
which fought not only for its land but also for the right of future
generations to live in a world far from the threat of invasion and
violence.
Zelenskyy said it very clearly: “To demand concessions from us
means backing the aggressor. This is capitulation, not peace”.
Zelenskyy’s speech caused a great resonance. Russian officials
criticized his speech, calling it “aggressive”. Chairman of the
Federation Council Committee on International Affairs Grigory
Karasin labeled his words “rude”.
Davos 2025 was not just a forum. It was a battlefield for what
the world of the future would look like. Zelenskyy reminded the
compromise seekers that an unjust world is a betrayal. The
President of Ukraine not only defended his country but also proved
that the fight for freedom is not just a diplomatic game. It is a
matter of life and death.
Amid these events, strengthening ties with Azerbaijan remains an
important element of Kyiv’s foreign policy strategy. The history of
Azerbaijan-Ukraine relations is particularly evident in two
significant visits: Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s visit to Baku in 2019 and
President Ilham Aliyev’s visit to Kyiv in 2022.
The visit of Zelenskyy to Azerbaijan in 2019 was not just a
diplomatic event but a symbol of rapprochement between the two
countries. The leaders agreed to increase trade turnover,
cooperation in the energy sector, and development of the
Trans-Caspian transport route. Zelenskyy emphasized the importance
of the participation of Azerbaijani investors in Ukrainian
projects, and this was a signal for deepening economic
cooperation.
President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev visited
Kyiv in 2022, a few weeks before the war. The signing of a
strategic partnership agreement confirmed the common course of
cooperation in the energy, transportation, and humanitarian
spheres. President Ilham Aliyev, speaking in Kyiv, reaffirmed his
support for Ukraine’s territorial integrity and emphasized the
importance of the principle of international law being fundamental
in resolving any conflict.
These visits were important milestones in strengthening the
partnership between the two countries. They demonstrated that
Azerbaijan and Ukraine are ready to support each other even in the
most difficult conditions.
In early 2025, it becomes clear that Ukraine is trapped in the
ambitions of the West. The change of administration in the United
States has changed practically nothing: Kyiv is still the arena of
geopolitical struggle between the superpowers, and here their
interests are put above the real needs of the Ukrainian people. The
financial and military aid provided by the West is accompanied by
more and more obvious pressure.
At the Davos Forum, it became clear that Europe was increasingly
inclined to compromise with Russia to reduce the costs of the
conflict. This was particularly evident in the rhetoric of Germany
and France; they are increasingly talking about “realistic
solutions.” But Kyiv makes it clear that such “solutions” cannot be
built based on capitulation.
Joe Biden’s resignation as US president has not changed the
essence of US policy toward Ukraine in any way. For the new
administration, Kyiv remains a battlefield on which Washington
resolves its global ambitions. Since 2022, the US has provided more
than $50 billion in aid to Ukraine, but behind every aid, there are
delays, conditions, and ultimatums.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, speaking at the Davos
Forum, bitterly noted: “The West talks about our struggle for
democracy, but real help often comes when it loses its
necessity”.
Even political scientists, including John Joseph Mearsheimer,
leave no room for any illusions: “For the US, Ukraine is simply a
tool in the struggle for world leadership. Washington is protecting
its global interests, not Kiev’s.”
The logic of this cold-blooded American policy has a
particularly bitter effect on the domestic situation in Ukraine.
The next example of this is the US pressure on Kyiv to lower the
age for mobilization to 18. Ukraine’s Deputy Prime Minister Olha
Stefanishyna remarked on the matter, “This looks more like an order
than help.”
While the US is acting as a cold-blooded strategist, Europe is
showing signs of war fatigue. At the Davos Forum, Chancellor Olaf
Scholz stated, “We must seek peaceful ways that are acceptable to
all sides, even if it requires difficult decisions.”
These statements sound like a betrayal for Ukraine. This is not
a call for justice but a signal that Europe is ready to sacrifice
Ukraine’s sovereignty for its stability.
Ukraine views this not as a call for peace but as an attempt to
force it to surrender.
Against the backdrop of the energy crisis and domestic problems,
Europe is increasingly leaning toward a strategy of “freezing the
conflict.” However, Kyiv considers this approach a serious threat
not only to Ukraine but also to the entire system of international
law. Ukraine’s Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov was very clear on
this point: “An unjust peace is only a stopgap before a new
war.”
Ukraine stands firm: compromises are impossible.
Davos-2025 demonstrated that Ukraine is a symbol of resistance
to both military aggression and attempts by allies to impose an
unjust peace on it. In his speech, Zelenskyy emphasized that
Ukraine’s struggle is not only for its sovereignty but also for the
principles on which international rules are based.
Despite all the trials, Ukraine keeps defending its
position.
Meanwhile, the Azerbaijan-Ukraine partnership has demonstrated
its significance in the most critical moments of history. This
strategic cooperation can serve as a pillar in the face of global
challenges.
