"Putin embodies war... We all know he is the sole reason various wars and conflicts persist and why all attempts to restore peace have failed and he will not change. We must change."
Zelenskiy told the gathering that Western hesitation in its backing for Kyiv and fears of an escalation in the war were costing time and could prolong fighting by years.
Nearly two years after Russia launched its full-scale invasion, Zelenskiy strongly opposed freezing the conflict along its current lines.
"If anyone thinks this is only about us, this is only about Ukraine, they are fundamentally mistaken. Possible directions and even timeline of a new Russian aggression beyond Ukraine become more and more obvious."
Zelenskiy was a man in demand in Davos, in a day full of meetings.
At the top of his agenda - trying to secure Western assistance that is held up by political wrangling in both the U.S. Congress and Brussels.
The Ukrainian leader sat down with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and other senior U.S. officials.
And emerged from a sit-down with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in good spirits.
"President Zelenskiy, how did the meeting go, Sir?"
"Very good."
After his speech, Zelenskiy revealed he had received "positive signals" about unlocking financial support from the European Union. And that he hoped the U.S. would approve further aid within weeks.
The forum comes as Kyiv's troops are on a defensive footing after a major counteroffensive last year failed to break Russian defensive lines in Ukraine's occupied south and east.
Ukraine is now focusing on reforming its conscription effort to replenish manpower and addressing artillery shortages at the front.
