Zelensky criticizes Europe for "losing its way," geopolitical rifts push gold prices near $5,000.
2026-01-23 09:42:11
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Thursday (January 22) accused Europe of “losing its way” by trying to persuade US President Donald Trump to lend a hand instead of uniting to defend itself.
Zelensky's remarks, revealing geopolitical rifts and strategic uncertainties, may provide structural support for gold prices. Spot gold fluctuated upwards during Friday's Asian trading session, marking its fifth consecutive day of gains, currently trading around $4950 per ounce. It briefly hit a record high of $4967.13 per ounce in the morning session, representing a daily increase of approximately 0.3%.
In a strongly worded speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Zelensky said: "Europe should be defending global freedom... but it has lost its way in trying to persuade the US president to change his mind."
Zelensky pointed out, "President Trump is true to himself. He claims to love Europe, but he will never listen to a Europe like this." It is understood that he met privately with Trump before the speech.
Zelensky added: "Europe is still more of a geographical concept, a history, a tradition, than a real political force or a great power. Some European countries are indeed powerful, but many more are just shouting that we must be strong, but always waiting for others to tell them how long they need to hold on—preferably only until the next election."
Zelenskyy also revealed that a trilateral meeting between Ukraine, Russia, and the United States will be held in the United Arab Emirates this Friday and Saturday . He emphasized that in order to end the conflict, Russia "must be prepared to make compromises."
This week's Davos Forum focused on issues such as the US threat to annex Greenland, tariffs imposed on European countries, and the establishment of a new "peace committee" in Gaza.
In his opening remarks, Zelensky pointed out that Europe's inaction made Ukraine feel like it was experiencing a recurring predicament.
Zelensky stated, "Just this time last year, I ended my speech with the message that Europe needs to know how to defend itself. A year has passed, and everything remains the same. I still have to repeat the same words."
He added: "We are truly invincible when we are united. Europe can and must become a global power, rather than always a belated follower."
Trump's actions regarding Greenland served as a backdrop for speeches by several political figures at the forum. Zelensky criticized NATO countries for sending only a small number of troops to the Arctic island after Trump's threats.
"What is the significance of sending thirty or forty soldiers to Greenland? What signal does this send? What message does it convey to Putin? More importantly, what message does it send to Denmark?"
"Either we make it clear that the European base will protect the region... or we risk being ignored because thirty or forty soldiers are simply not enough to provide any protection."
Zelensky pointed out that other pressing issues have been marginalized as European leaders “wait for the United States to calm down on the Greenland issue.”
He stated, "The international community has been discussing the protests in Iran extensively, but those voices were ultimately drowned out by the bloodshed. The world's aid to the Iranian people is far from sufficient."
Zelensky's remarks are a microcosm of the global system's disorder: inefficient cooperation between Europe and the US, stalemates in regional conflicts, and hollowed-out security commitments. This environment will drive gold to transform from a "temporary safe-haven asset" into a standard asset for hedging long-term structural risks. Especially against the backdrop of the US dollar's credibility facing both internal and external challenges, gold's monetary attributes and strategic value will be further reassessed .
(Spot gold daily chart, source: FX678)
At 9:41 AM Beijing time, spot gold was trading at $4,952.88 per ounce.
Zelensky's remarks, revealing geopolitical rifts and strategic uncertainties, may provide structural support for gold prices. Spot gold fluctuated upwards during Friday's Asian trading session, marking its fifth consecutive day of gains, currently trading around $4950 per ounce. It briefly hit a record high of $4967.13 per ounce in the morning session, representing a daily increase of approximately 0.3%.
Pointing directly to the lost Europe
In a strongly worded speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Zelensky said: "Europe should be defending global freedom... but it has lost its way in trying to persuade the US president to change his mind."
Zelensky pointed out, "President Trump is true to himself. He claims to love Europe, but he will never listen to a Europe like this." It is understood that he met privately with Trump before the speech.
Zelensky added: "Europe is still more of a geographical concept, a history, a tradition, than a real political force or a great power. Some European countries are indeed powerful, but many more are just shouting that we must be strong, but always waiting for others to tell them how long they need to hold on—preferably only until the next election."
Zelenskyy also revealed that a trilateral meeting between Ukraine, Russia, and the United States will be held in the United Arab Emirates this Friday and Saturday . He emphasized that in order to end the conflict, Russia "must be prepared to make compromises."
Everything remains the same.
This week's Davos Forum focused on issues such as the US threat to annex Greenland, tariffs imposed on European countries, and the establishment of a new "peace committee" in Gaza.
In his opening remarks, Zelensky pointed out that Europe's inaction made Ukraine feel like it was experiencing a recurring predicament.
Zelensky stated, "Just this time last year, I ended my speech with the message that Europe needs to know how to defend itself. A year has passed, and everything remains the same. I still have to repeat the same words."
He added: "We are truly invincible when we are united. Europe can and must become a global power, rather than always a belated follower."
Greenland's symbolic troop deployment was ridiculed.
Trump's actions regarding Greenland served as a backdrop for speeches by several political figures at the forum. Zelensky criticized NATO countries for sending only a small number of troops to the Arctic island after Trump's threats.
"What is the significance of sending thirty or forty soldiers to Greenland? What signal does this send? What message does it convey to Putin? More importantly, what message does it send to Denmark?"
"Either we make it clear that the European base will protect the region... or we risk being ignored because thirty or forty soldiers are simply not enough to provide any protection."
Zelensky pointed out that other pressing issues have been marginalized as European leaders “wait for the United States to calm down on the Greenland issue.”
He stated, "The international community has been discussing the protests in Iran extensively, but those voices were ultimately drowned out by the bloodshed. The world's aid to the Iranian people is far from sufficient."
Strategic uncertainty fuels safe-haven demand, gold rises for five consecutive days
Zelensky's remarks are a microcosm of the global system's disorder: inefficient cooperation between Europe and the US, stalemates in regional conflicts, and hollowed-out security commitments. This environment will drive gold to transform from a "temporary safe-haven asset" into a standard asset for hedging long-term structural risks. Especially against the backdrop of the US dollar's credibility facing both internal and external challenges, gold's monetary attributes and strategic value will be further reassessed .
(Spot gold daily chart, source: FX678)
At 9:41 AM Beijing time, spot gold was trading at $4,952.88 per ounce.
- Risk Warning and Disclaimer
- The market involves risk, and trading may not be suitable for all investors. This article is for reference only and does not constitute personal investment advice, nor does it take into account certain users’ specific investment objectives, financial situation, or other needs. Any investment decisions made based on this information are at your own risk.
