Translated with AI
Ukrainian and US Presidents Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Donald Trump met in Davos, Switzerland, on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum. The talks lasted approximately an hour. According to the White House, the parties discussed the resolution of the Russia-Ukraine war, prospects for a peace agreement, and security guarantees for Ukraine.
Following the meeting, Donald Trump told reporters that the talks with the Ukrainian leader had gone "well." Asked about his message to Russian President Vladimir Putin, the White House chief emphasized that Russia's war against Ukraine must end. He said both sides in the conflict were committed to peace.
On the eve of the meeting, speaking at the Davos Forum, Trump announced plans for talks with Zelenskyy and expressed confidence in the Ukrainian president's readiness to reach a deal. "I think I can say we're pretty close," he noted. The US president reiterated that the war in Ukraine, which has lasted nearly four years, must end.
Zelenskyy and Trump's meeting took place just hours before US Special Representative Steven Witkoff and the US president's son-in-law, Jared Kushner, held talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow. These contacts were part of ongoing diplomatic efforts to find a way to end the conflict.
Following the Davos talks, Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced an agreement with the United States on American security guarantees for Ukraine. According to him, the relevant document has already been finalized. "The topic of security guarantees is closed. The document must be signed by the parties, the presidents, and then sent to the national parliaments," the Ukrainian leader told reporters.
Zelenskyy reiterated that without US participation, security guarantees for Ukraine cannot be effective. He noted that the UK and France have expressed their readiness to ensure a possible ceasefire on the ground, but, in his words, "without the US, security guarantees are ineffective."
At the same time, the Ukrainian president noted that a number of key issues remain unresolved. Specifically, the future of the country's eastern regions. "We're talking about the eastern part of our country, about land. This is an issue we haven't yet resolved," Zelenskyy stated, adding that he believes US Special Envoy Steve Wittkoff is discussing this topic.
Witkoff previously stated that conflict resolution negotiations were at an advanced stage and that "only one issue" remained between Kyiv and Moscow, without providing further details. At the time of his statement, the US special representative was again in Moscow.
Russia, which Kyiv and Western countries estimate controls approximately 20 percent of Ukraine's territory, insists on full control over Donbas as part of a potential agreement. Ukraine rejects these demands.
Diplomatic efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine war have been ongoing for several months. An updated version of the peace plan originally proposed by the United States is being considered as part of the negotiating process. On Thursday, Zelenskyy also announced upcoming talks in the United Arab Emirates with representatives from the United States, Ukraine, and Russia.
