In a significant development at the World Economic Forum in Davos, U.S. President Donald Trump met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to discuss a potential peace deal to end the ongoing conflict with Russia. The high-stakes meeting occurred as U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner traveled to Moscow for direct talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Diplomatic Push for Peace
President Trump met with President Zelensky on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum, describing the encounter as “good.” Trump reiterated his belief that a peace deal is “reasonably close,” emphasizing the urgency to end the bloodshed. Following this meeting, U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff and advisor Jared Kushner proceeded to Moscow for discussions with President Putin. Witkoff conveyed optimism, noting that negotiations had narrowed down to a single, solvable issue.
Trilateral Talks and Territorial Disputes
President Zelensky announced that Ukrainian negotiators would be heading to the United Arab Emirates for trilateral talks with Russian and U.S. representatives. He stressed that for any progress, “Russians have to be ready for compromises, not just Ukraine.” Zelensky identified the future status of land in eastern Ukraine as the unresolved issue, suggesting that the planned talks in the UAE could offer potential solutions. The U.S. proposal reportedly includes a demilitarized economic zone in Donbas in exchange for security guarantees for Kyiv.
Zelensky’s Critique of European Allies
During his address at Davos, President Zelensky expressed frustration with European leaders, accusing them of prioritizing discussion over action. He stated that Europe “loves to discuss the future but avoids taking action” and criticized the continent’s perceived lack of political will to confront Russia effectively. Zelensky contrasted this with the approach of the Trump administration, suggesting that Europe’s internal debates hinder its ability to act decisively.
U.S. Envoys’ Moscow Meeting
Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner’s meeting with President Putin in Moscow was seen as a critical step. Witkoff indicated that Putin’s invitation for them to visit Moscow was a “significant statement.” The U.S. delegation aims to finalize details of a peace plan, with Witkoff suggesting that the remaining issues are solvable. Following their Moscow discussions, the envoys are expected to proceed to Abu Dhabi for further working group sessions covering military and economic aspects of the proposed peace.
Air Defense and Energy Concerns
In addition to peace talks, President Zelensky announced that Ukraine had secured agreements for a new air defense package during his meetings in Davos. Meanwhile, reports indicated that Ukraine’s energy system faced its most challenging day since late 2022 due to ongoing Russian attacks, exacerbating the harsh winter conditions.