Zelensky Slams Europe at Davos, Meets Trump While Ukraine Faces Winter Power Crisis
Updated (3 articles)
Zelensky’s Davos Speech Targets European Inaction On Jan. 22, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy denounced Europe as “slow and fragmented” in its response to Russia’s invasion, warning that Ukraine remains at Putin’s mercy and urging the bloc to step up defense spending, tighten sanctions on a “shadow fleet” of oil tankers, and mobilize frozen assets for Kyiv’s war effort[1]. He invoked a Groundhog Day metaphor, noting that his warnings a year earlier have not produced substantive change[1]. The remarks framed Ukraine’s broader diplomatic push for a more cohesive European security posture.
Zelensky Meets Trump in Closed‑Door Session Despite earlier statements that he would not travel to Switzerland, Zelenskyy sat for an hour‑long private meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump at Davos, describing the talks as “productive and meaningful”[1]. Trump publicly pledged to meet Zelenskyy the following day to discuss ending the fighting, calling the war “horrible”[3]. Both leaders presented the encounter as a sign of renewed U.S.‑Ukraine engagement amid strained transatlantic relations.
U.S.–Led Peace Initiative Moves Toward UAE Trilaterals Zelenskyy said U.S.‑backed peace proposals are “nearly ready,” with two days of trilateral talks among the United States, Ukraine and Russia slated for the United Arab Emirates[1]. CNN reported that the draft keeps current front lines, proposes referenda‑based land swaps in Donbass, and envisions a three‑way split of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant among the United States, Russia and Ukraine[2]. The framework aims to create a “peaceful path” for Ukraine while navigating complex territorial and nuclear security issues.
Winter Energy Crisis Deepens Humanitarian Strain As temperatures plunged to –20 °C, roughly 4,000 Kyiv buildings lost heating and nearly 60 % of the city experienced power outages, prompting the government to allocate 2.56 billion hryvnias for emergency generators[3]. NATO Secretary‑General Mark Rutte urged allies to tap stockpiles and deliver additional air‑defence systems without delay[3]. The power shortfall underscores the dual pressure of Russian attacks on the grid and the urgent need for Western military and humanitarian support.
Conflicting Reports on Zelensky’s Davos Attendance AP’s Jan. 22 account places Zelenskyy in Davos for the Trump meeting, while AP’s earlier Jan. 21 story and CNN note that Zelenskyy would skip the forum to focus on restoring power in Ukraine[3][2]. This discrepancy highlights the fluid nature of diplomatic scheduling amid the winter emergency and the fast‑moving diplomatic environment at Davos.
Sources
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1.
AP: Zelenskyy blasts Europe at Davos for slow response: Details Zelensky’s criticism of Europe, his Groundhog Day metaphor, the Trump meeting, and upcoming UAE peace talks.
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2.
CNN: Trump Davos remarks dim Ukraine peace prospects amid Greenland dispute: Emphasizes Trump’s Greenland statement, the absence of Zelensky and Macron, and specific peace‑draft provisions for Donbass and Zaporizhzhia.
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3.
AP: Trump to meet Zelenskyy as Ukraine endures bitter winter after Russian attacks: Focuses on Ukraine’s severe winter power crisis, the allocation for generators, NATO’s air‑defence plea, and Trump’s pledge to meet Zelenskyy.
Timeline
Feb 2022 – Russia launches a full‑scale invasion of Ukraine, sparking a protracted war, massive civilian hardship and a wave of Western sanctions that shape all subsequent diplomatic efforts. [1][2]
Jan 21, 2026 – At the World Economic Forum in Davos, President Donald Trump vows the United States “will not seize Greenland” and rolls out a framework deal intended to chart a peaceful path for Ukraine, signaling a shift in U.S. rhetoric on the conflict. [1]
Jan 21, 2026 – Trump announces he will meet President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Davos to discuss ending the fighting, describing the war as “a horrible conflict.” [3]
Jan 21, 2026 – U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff tells reporters at Davos, “We need a peace,” and says he will discuss peace proposals with President Vladimir Putin and a Ukrainian delegation. [3]
Jan 21, 2026 – NATO Secretary‑General Mark Rutte urges all alliance members to supply air‑defence systems immediately, warning that Ukraine’s survival depends on rapid reinforcement. [3]
Jan 21, 2026 – Ukraine’s cabinet earmarks 2.56 billion hryvnias from a reserve fund to purchase generators, aiming to curb widespread power outages during the harsh winter. [3]
Jan 21, 2026 – About 4,000 buildings in Kyiv lack heating and nearly 60 % of the city is without electricity as temperatures plunge to –20 °C, underscoring the humanitarian toll of Russian strikes on the power grid. [3]
Jan 21, 2026 – President Zelenskyy decides to skip Davos, focusing instead on restoring power and other emergency measures at home. [3]
Jan 21, 2026 – Trump mocks European leaders on the Davos stage, further dimming hopes for a three‑way breakthrough with Zelenskyy and French President Emmanuel Macron, who are absent from the forum. [1]
Jan 21, 2026 – The latest U.S.‑backed peace draft keeps front lines in place, proposes referenda on land swaps in Donbass and envisions a three‑way split of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant among the United States, Russia and Ukraine, highlighting deep technical obstacles. [1]
Jan 22, 2026 – Zelenskyy denounces Europe at Davos as “slow and fragmented” in its response to Russia’s invasion, urging the bloc to step up defense spending, crack down on a “shadow fleet” of sanctions‑busting tankers and deploy frozen assets for Ukraine. [2]
Jan 22, 2026 – Using a Groundhog Day metaphor, Zelenskyy says a year ago he warned Europe to defend itself and “nothing has changed,” emphasizing the war’s stagnant and repetitive nature. [2]
Jan 22, 2026 – Zelenskyy meets Trump behind closed doors for about an hour, calling the discussions “productive and meaningful,” while Trump labels the talks “very good.” [2]
Jan 22, 2026 – Zelenskyy reports that U.S.–led peace proposals are “nearly ready” and that two days of trilateral talks involving the United States, Ukraine and Russia will commence in the United Arab Emirates, marking a potential new phase in negotiations. [2]
Jan 22, 2026 – The planned UAE trilateral meetings are slated to occur shortly after Davos, representing the next concrete step toward a negotiated settlement. [2]