Zelensky Blames Europe at Davos While Trump Plans Meeting During Ukraine’s Winter Crisis
Updated (3 articles)
Zelensky Accuses Europe of Slow, Fragmented Response He told the World Economic Forum that Europe remains “slow and fragmented” in confronting Russia’s invasion, repeating warnings he gave a year earlier and likening the situation to Groundhog Day[1]. He said Ukraine is still at Putin’s mercy and urged European capitals to act as a unified political force comparable to Washington’s actions in Venezuela and Iran[1]. He also condemned Europe for allowing a “shadow fleet” of oil tankers to evade sanctions and for hesitating to tap frozen assets to fund Ukraine[1].
Ukraine Faces Harsh Winter Power Crisis In Kyiv, about 4,000 buildings lacked heating and nearly 60 % of the city was without electricity as temperatures fell to minus 20 °C[3]. The government allocated 2.56 billion hryvnias from a reserve fund to buy generators to mitigate outages[3]. NATO Secretary‑General Mark Rutte called on allies to draw on stockpiles and deliver additional air‑defence systems without delay[3].
Trump Announces Davos Meeting and Peace Framework At Davos, former President Donald Trump said he would meet Zelensky on Thursday to discuss ending the fighting and presented a “framework deal” that includes a peaceful path for Ukraine[3][2]. He also reassured that the United States would not seize Greenland, a statement that drew attention to broader geopolitical concerns[2]. Trump’s remarks downplayed prospects for a three‑way breakthrough, noting Zelensky’s absence from the forum and mocking European leaders[2].
U.S.-Led Negotiations Target UAE Trilaterals Zelensky reported that U.S.-led peace talks are nearing completion, with plans for two days of trilateral meetings among the United States, Ukraine and Russia in the United Arab Emirates[1]. Special envoy Steve Witkoff said he will discuss proposals with President Putin and a Ukrainian delegation, emphasizing the urgency of a settlement[3]. The draft peace plan keeps current front lines but proposes referenda on land swaps and a three‑way split of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, points that remain contentious[2].
Sources (3 articles)
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[1]
AP: Zelensky blasts Europe at Davos for slow response: Highlights Zelensky’s criticism of Europe’s fragmented defense, his Groundhog Day metaphor, and his call for stronger sanctions and use of frozen assets, plus mention of upcoming U.S.-led peace talks.
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[2]
CNN: Trump Davos remarks dim Ukraine peace prospects amid Greenland dispute: Focuses on Trump’s Greenland statement, the fading hope for a three‑way peace breakthrough due to Zelensky and Macron’s absence, and details of the draft peace plan’s Donbass zones and Zaporizhzhia split.
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[3]
AP: Trump to meet Zelenskyy as Ukraine endures bitter winter after Russian attacks: Reports Ukraine’s severe heating and power shortages, the allocation of funds for generators, NATO’s air‑defence plea, and Trump’s pledge to meet Zelensky in Davos while Zelensky stays in Kyiv to restore power.
Timeline
Jan 21, 2026 – President Donald Trump declares on the Davos stage that the United States will never seize Greenland and unveils a “framework deal” intended to chart a peaceful path for Ukraine, signaling a shift toward diplomatic overtures while risking friction with European allies. [1]
Jan 21, 2026 – Trump announces he will meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Davos to discuss ending the fighting, framing the war as a “horrible conflict” and positioning himself as a key interlocutor in any peace effort. [3]
Jan 21, 2026 – U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff says he will press peace proposals with Russian President Vladimir Putin and a Ukrainian delegation, underscoring Washington’s push for a negotiated settlement. [3]
Jan 21, 2026 – Kyiv endures a bitter winter as Russian strikes leave about 4,000 buildings without heating and nearly 60 % of the city without power while temperatures plunge to –20 °C, highlighting the humanitarian toll of the ongoing invasion. [3]
Jan 21, 2026 – Ukraine’s cabinet earmarks 2.56 billion hryvnias from a reserve fund to buy generators, a move aimed at shoring up the grid and reducing civilian outages amid the power crisis. [3]
Jan 21, 2026 – NATO Secretary‑General Mark Rutte urges member states to draw on stockpiles and deliver additional air‑defence systems to Ukraine, stressing the alliance’s need to bolster Kyiv’s defenses. [3]
Jan 21, 2026 – President Zelenskyy decides to skip Davos and remain in Kyiv to focus on restoring electricity, reflecting the urgency of domestic priorities over international diplomacy. [3]
Jan 21, 2026 – A draft peace proposal discussed at Davos keeps front‑line positions unchanged but proposes referenda on land swaps, creates special economic zones in parts of Donbass, and envisions a three‑way split of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant among the U.S., Russia and Ukraine, exposing deep‑seated sticking points. [1]
Jan 21, 2026 – Analysts note that the week’s developments test the trans‑Atlantic alliance; Moscow’s reaction remains uncertain and European patience for U.S.‑led initiatives shows limits, underscoring the fragility of coalition support for Kyiv. [1]
Jan 22, 2026 – At the World Economic Forum, Zelenskyy condemns Europe for a “slow and fragmented” response to Russia’s invasion, urging the continent to act as a decisive political force and warning that Ukraine remains at Putin’s mercy. [2]
Jan 22, 2026 – Zelenskyy invokes the “Groundhog Day” metaphor, saying Europe’s defense posture has not changed since his warnings a year ago, emphasizing the stagnation of the war effort. [2]
Jan 22, 2026 – Zelenskyy meets privately with Trump in Davos, describing the hour‑long discussion as “productive and meaningful,” while Trump calls the talks “very good,” indicating a moment of alignment amid broader diplomatic tension. [2]
Jan 22, 2026 – Zelenskyy presses Europe to accelerate defense decisions, crack down on a “shadow fleet” of sanctions‑busting oil tankers, and mobilize frozen assets to fund Ukraine, highlighting long‑standing grievances over the continent’s support. [2]
Jan 22, 2026 – Zelenskyy reports that U.S.–led peace talks are “nearly ready,” with two days of trilateral meetings among the United States, Ukraine and Russia slated to begin in the United Arab Emirates, pointing to a potential new phase in negotiations. [2]