The World Economic Forum in Davos has become a platform not only for discussing the global economy, but also for sharp political statements regarding the war in Ukraine. At the same time, the diplomatic focus is shifting to Abu Dhabi, where negotiations are being prepared involving Ukraine, the United States and Russia without any signs of compromise. The Kremlin openly links any settlement to territorial concessions, and Europe is faced with internal contradictions regarding its support for Kyiv. A separate element of this picture is Moscow’s attempts to return frozen assets under the guise of “peaceful” initiatives.
Davos for Ukraine: Additional Air Defense Missiles and Security Guarantees
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said, that the World Economic Forum in Davos brought Ukraine concrete results in the field of security and international support. According to him, one of the key events was the meeting with US President Donald Trump – the meeting was “positive”. During the talks, the parties discussed strengthening Ukraine's air defense and completing work on security guarantees.
"We discussed with President Trump additional missiles for anti-ballistic air defense - what we need, and I expect a positive result. Second - we finalized security guarantees, I expect them to be signed," Zelensky said.
The president also noted that a trilateral meeting with the American leader involving Ukraine, the United States and Russia was discussed after the visit of American representatives to Moscow, which is to take place in the United Arab Emirates. An agreement with the United States on security guarantees is also ready. Zelensky is waiting for "dates and places" from Trump to sign the document. During the meeting, the issues of a free trade zone between Ukraine and the United States were also discussed. The President of the United States supports this idea and confirmed that Ukraine will receive it.
Separately, Zelensky commented on the support from the European Union, thanking for the decision on 90 billion euros in aid and stable funding of 45 billion euros each year for the next two years.
He emphasized that some European leaders blocked these decisions, but they were nevertheless adopted. According to Zelensky, despite the focus of discussions in Davos on other topics, Ukraine managed to return the attention of international partners to the war and its own security needs.
In addition, in Davos, Donald Trump's Peace Council was created without the participation of major European allies. Before the signing, the US president stated "that practically every country wants to be part of this process." Representatives of less than 20 countries were present at the signing ceremony - mainly countries from the Middle East and South America.
From the EU, the prime ministers of Hungary and Bulgaria participated in the ceremony. In addition, representatives of Armenia, Azerbaijan, Turkey and Kosovo were also present.
“Deserves a slap on the back of the head”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, harshly criticized pro-Russian politicians within the European Union, in particular Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban. The head of state emphasized that individual European leaders are using the EU’s financial support while undermining its unity and strategic interests. Zelensky said that such forces are operating not only from outside, but also from within Europe itself. During his speech, he said:
“We also see that the forces that are trying to destroy Europe are not wasting a single day. They are operating freely, even operating within Europe. Every “Victor” who lives off European money, trying to sell out European interests, deserves a slap on the head.”
The Ukrainian president’s statement sparked an immediate reaction from Budapest. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said he saw no chance for a rapprochement between Ukraine and Hungary, calling himself a “free man” who serves the Hungarian people. He accused Zelensky of “failing or unwilling to end the war for four years,” despite U.S. support, and stressed that Hungary would not support Ukraine’s military efforts.
Donbas issue central to Abu Dhabi talks
Today, January 23, the U.S., Ukraine, and Russia are holding their first direct trilateral peace talks in Abu Dhabi. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said, the Donbas issue is central to the talks, as Russia is demanding that Ukraine give up 20 percent of the eastern Donetsk region it still holds. Moscow is insisting on handing over all of the territory, including areas that the Russian army has failed to capture in four years of war. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov called this requirement “a very important condition.”
The Ukrainian delegation is headed by Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine Rustem Umerov, and the Russian delegation is headed by Chief of the Main Directorate of the General Staff of the Russian Federation Admiral Igor Kostyukov.
Zelensky stressed that Ukraine rejects any territorial concessions, and the massive attacks on the energy system are proof of Moscow’s lack of real desire for peace.
It is also known that the US may offer an “energy truce” during the trilateral talks. According to FTsources, such a possibility has already been discussed with Ukraine. In exchange, Kyiv must stop attacks on Russian refineries and tankers of the “shadow fleet”.
Kremlin told the US: there will be no peace without concessions
Russian President Vladimir Putin held a multi-hour night meeting with American envoys, after which the Kremlin said its readiness for negotiations, but with a strict condition regarding territories. Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov said that without resolving the territorial issue according to the formula agreed at the Anchorage summit, “there is no hope for a long-term settlement”. He said the talks were “meaningful, constructive and frank”. However, the Russian side did not report any breakthrough.
Ushakov stressed that until agreements are reached, Russia will “consistently achieve the goals of the special military operation”, especially on the battlefield. The US was represented at the talks by special presidential envoy Steve Witkoff, Jared Kushner and adviser to the newly created “Peace Council” Josh Gruenbaum.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that the parameters of security guarantees with the US have already been agreed, but the territorial issue remains unresolved. Russia also demands that Ukraine refuse to join NATO and excludes any presence of Alliance forces after a potential deal.
ISW: Putin wants to use the “Peace Council” to return frozen assets
Russian President Vladimir Putin is trying to use US President Donald Trump’s initiative to create a “Peace Council” to return frozen Russian assets. This is stated in the report of the Institute for the Study of War (ISW). According to analysts, the Kremlin is considering the possibility of contributing one billion dollars to the “Peace Council” from funds blocked in the United States. Putin said, that this money could be used to “restore territories damaged by hostilities.”
The ISW emphasizes that by these territories the Kremlin means the occupied regions of Ukraine. The report states: “It seems that Putin is trying to agree on unfreezing Russian assets not only to finance the “Peace Council,” but also to restore territories that Russian troops damaged during a full-scale invasion.”
American analysts emphasize that the use of frozen assets to restore occupied territories will actually return funds to the Russian economy. This, they say, will contribute to the further integration of the occupied regions into the Russian system and compensate for the aggressor’s costs of the war.
Photo: www.ukr.net
Author: Danylo Pievchev