Negotiations on peace in Ukraine are approaching a decisive stage but remain dependent on the political will of key partners. At the same time, the European Union and the United States are entering a phase of open confrontation over Greenland and Donald Trump’s tariff policy, pushing the war in Ukraine into the background. Against this backdrop, sanctions pressure on Russia, military assistance to Ukraine, and internal debates in Washington are becoming part of a broader geopolitical game.
Zelenskyy: There Is No Deadlock in the Peace Talks, the Documents Are Almost Ready
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky saidthat the peace negotiation process has not reached a deadlock and that work on the key documents is ongoing. Responding to journalists’ questions about the limited amount of public information on the talks in the United States, he stressed: “I do not see a deadlock yet. Work on the documents is underway.” According to the head of state, the negotiations are taking place continuously and certainly do not indicate that the process has stalled. Zelenskyy emphasized that the final stage of negotiations is traditionally the most difficult, but this does not mean there is no progress.
The president reported that he is in constant contact with National Security and Defense Council Secretary Rustem Umerov, who is maintaining communication with representatives of Donald Trump — Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. Zelenskyy also stated that three key documents—the peace agreement, security guarantees, and the prosperity agreement — are almost ready. At the same time, he noted that the United States could do more to put pressure on Russia, particularly in the area of sanctions.
“So far, America lacks the strength to stop Putin. Although, along this diplomatic path, I will say frankly, almost three important documents are ready. And these are the documents that will protect us in the future and those that will restore life in Ukraine. These are important documents. They are high-quality,” the president said, adding that he expects stronger actions from the United States.
The EU Will Not Abandon U.S. Weapons for Ukraine
The European Union will not revise the principle allowing the purchase of American weapons for Ukraine, even amid strained relations with the United States. This was said by EU Commissioner for Economy Valdis Dombrovskis after a meeting of the EU Economic and Financial Affairs Council in Brussels. He stressed that priority is given to manufacturers from Ukraine, the EU, and partner countries, but this rule is not absolute. If the necessary weapons or spare parts cannot be produced in Europe, their purchase from other countries is permitted.
According to Dombrovskis, in such cases the key criterion remains Ukraine’s real defense needs. He emphasized that this approach allows for a flexible response to the challenges of war. Funding for assistance is planned in the form of a non-resource loan, the Ukraine Support Loan, amounting to €90 billion for 2026–2027. About €60 billion of this amount is earmarked for military assistance, and another €30 billion for overall budget support for Ukraine.
The EU Shifts Priorities: Greenland and U.S. Tariffs Instead of Ukraine
European Union leaders who were preparing to discuss security guarantees for postwar Ukraine with Donald Trump have been forced to change the agenda. According to the The Financial Times, the main topic of negotiations in Davos has become the situation around Greenland.
The FT article notes that this dispute has grown into the greatest threat to NATO in decades and the deepest rift in transatlantic relations since the Suez Crisis. European delegations arriving in Davos are revising their positions and preparing responses to potential U.S. trade strikes. One EU diplomat said that under such conditions it is difficult to seriously discuss security guarantees for Ukraine with Trump. EU leaders plan to convene an emergency summit after the Davos meetings conclude.
In addition, U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to introduce a new package of tariffs for countries exporting goods to the United States. According to him, starting February 1 a 10% duty will be imposed on Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Finland. From June 1, the rate is set to increase to 25%.
In his statements, he claims that China and Russia allegedly seek to seize Greenland and that Denmark is unable to defend it. Trump called the actions of European countries “dangerous” and called for “tough measures.”
Trump also sent a letter to the Prime Minister of Norway in which he criticized the country for its reluctance to award him the Nobel Peace Prize and once again threatened to take Greenland “in light of national security needs.”
“In light of the fact that Norway has decided not to award me the Nobel Peace Prize for stopping eight wars and more, I no longer feel obligated to think exclusively about peace — although it will always remain dominant — but now I can think about what is good and proper for the United States,” Trump wrote.
The Law on Tough Sanctions Against Russia Will Not Be Delayed, Says Senator Graham
Republican Senator Lindsey Graham said that the bipartisan bill on tough sanctions against Russia will no longer be delayed. According to him, President Donald Trump has given this legislation the “green light.” Speaking on Fox News Graham emphasized: “It will never go back on the shelf because President Trump believes he needs it.” The White House confirmed the U.S. president’s support for the bill.
At the same time, the document has not yet been submitted for consideration in the Senate due to a procedural dispute between the chambers of Congress. Senate Majority Leader John Thune insists that the initiative must first pass the House of Representatives. Graham, for his part, believes that consideration should begin in the upper chamber. According to Fox News, the procedure in the House of Representatives could take significantly more time than senators are willing to wait.
Photo: Evelyn Hockstein / Reuters
Author: Danylo Pievchev