Zelenskyy: It's cheaper to prevent Russia from producing missiles than to save Ukraine's energy system

Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the Davos Forum. Photo: Krisztian Bocsi/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Zelenskyy noted that Russia can continue to produce missiles because it finds ways to bypass Western sanctions and obtain the necessary components.

"Everyone now sees how Russia is trying to freeze Ukrainians to death when temperatures reach -20 °C. And Russia would not be able to produce a single ballistic or cruise missile without key components from other countries — and I mean not only China," Zelenskyy said, clarifying that he was also referring to components from Europe, the USA, and Taiwan.

"Much investment is now being made in stability around Taiwan to avoid war. But can it be arranged so that Taiwanese companies do not supply electronic components for the Russian Federation's war? Europe is practically silent, the USA is silent, and Putin is making missiles," Zelenskyy stated.

He expressed gratitude to every country and every company that is currently helping Ukraine restore its shattered energy system, as well as for the Europeans' contribution to the acquisition of interceptor missiles for Patriot air defense systems through the PURL program.

"But wouldn't it be cheaper and simpler to just cut off Russia's access to the components it needs for missiles? Or destroy the factories where they are produced?" Zelenskyy asked, moving on to the topic of long-range capabilities.

"Last year there was a lot of talk about long-range weapons for Ukraine. Everyone was already saying that a decision was very close. Now no one even mentions it, and with Russian missiles, everything is still the same. We still have the coordinates of the factories where they are assembled.

Today they fly over Ukraine, and tomorrow it could be some NATO country. In Europe, we are even advised not to remind Americans about Tomahawks, so as not to spoil their mood," Zelenskyy stated.

He also noted that forces trying to destroy Europe do not waste a single day and operate even within the European Union, citing as an example Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who consistently blocks anti-Russian and pro-Ukrainian initiatives from Brussels:

"Every Viktor who lives on European money, trying to sell European interests, deserves a slap on the back of the neck. And if he feels comfortable in Moscow, it doesn't mean we should allow European capitals to turn into little Moscows. We must remember what separates Russia from all of us."

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