<Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky delivered a striking address at the World Economic Forum in Davos on January 22, 2026, invoking a controversial comparison between recent U.S. actions in Venezuela and the lack of criminal accountability for Russian President Vladimir Putin. Zelensky referenced the January 3, 2026, U.S. military operation in Caracas that resulted in the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, who were transported to New York to face federal narco-terrorism and drug trafficking charges in the Southern District of New York.

In his remarks, Zelensky highlighted that Maduro is now on trial in New York, underscoring the contrast with Putin, who remains free and active nearly four years into Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Zelensky stated, “President Trump led an operation in Venezuela, and Maduro was arrested… the fact remains that Maduro is on trial in New York. Sorry, but Putin is not on trial,” pointing to what he described as the global community’s failure to enforce accountability for Russia’s leadership despite the International Criminal Court issuing an arrest warrant for Putin in 2023.

Zelensky’s comments were framed as part of a broader critique of European hesitancy and the perceived stagnation of international efforts to confront Russian aggression. He argued that decisive action is necessary to deter further atrocities and ensure that leaders responsible for large-scale violence are brought before justice. His invocation of the Maduro case served to illustrate a stark difference in how different authoritarian figures are treated under international pressure and law.

The Ukrainian president’s remarks have sparked debate among global leaders and commentators. Supporters say Zelensky’s comparison underscores the need for stronger accountability mechanisms and greater unity among democratic nations, while critics argue that calls for unilateral action against sitting heads of state raise complex legal and diplomatic issues. Regardless, his speech at Davos represents a dramatic appeal for renewed focus on justice, deterrence, and the enforcement of international norms in the wake of prolonged conflict in Ukraine.