ukraine talks — ukraine talks — US President Donald Trump remarked that peace efforts regarding Ukraine are “getting close” as he prepares to meet with President Volodymyr Zelenskiy at the World Economic Forum in Davos. This statement comes amidst a backdrop of intense diplomatic negotiations, with US envoy Steve Witkoff indicating that discussions have narrowed to a single remaining issue.
The urgency of these talks is underscored by the ongoing conflict that has persisted for nearly four years, with Trump urging for a resolution despite a lack of willingness from Moscow to cease hostilities. “A lot of people are being killed. We’ve got to get it done,” Trump noted as Zelenskiy arrived for their meeting, which commenced shortly after 1pm local time in Davos.
Zelenskiy’s attendance at the forum hinged on his ability to secure agreements with Trump, particularly concerning US security guarantees and funding for post-war reconstruction in Ukraine. On Wednesday, Trump had confirmed their meeting, stating that a deal was “reasonably close,” reflecting a shift in US policy towards more direct diplomacy with Russia.
Both leaders have met multiple times since Trump resumed his presidency, marking a significant pivot in US strategy towards Ukraine. The Ukrainian president is currently grappling with an energy crisis exacerbated by Russian air strikes, which have left large areas of the capital and surrounding regions without power or heating. Zelenskiy is expected to address these challenges following his discussions with Trump.
Witkoff expressed optimism about the negotiations during an address at the forum, asserting that significant progress has been made. His recent talks with Ukrainian officials, following discussions in Florida, reflect the high-stakes nature of these diplomatic efforts. Witkoff, along with Jared Kushner, is set to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow later today to explore avenues for peace amidst Europe’s most lethal conflict since World War II.
Russia’s response to US-led peace initiatives has been tepid, with demands for Ukraine to relinquish parts of its eastern Donetsk region, a territory that has seen fierce fighting. Putin recently hinted at discussions regarding a settlement that could involve using frozen Russian assets for the reconstruction of occupied Ukrainian territories, as well as Trump’s proposal for a global Board of Peace.
Critics of the Board of Peace have raised concerns that it might undermine the United Nations’ authority. The Kremlin, while not commenting directly on Witkoff’s optimistic statements, acknowledged his diplomatic engagement as valuable for addressing the conflict.
In financial markets, Ukraine’s international bonds saw a rise of over 2 cents on Thursday, reflecting increased investor confidence spurred by the high-level diplomatic activity. There is cautious optimism that these talks could lead to a breakthrough in ending the ongoing war.
However, the violence continues unabated. Russian airstrikes on Thursday targeted several regions in Ukraine, resulting in casualties, including a 17-year-old killed in Odesa due to a drone attack on an apartment building. In Kryvyi Rih, eleven individuals were injured when a ballistic missile struck a residential area. In Kyiv, approximately 3,000 high-rises remain without heating following recent assaults.
