Zelenskyy-Trump meeting in Davos: Key details from today’s talks

Key points

• The meeting between Zelenskyy and Trump is scheduled for 2 pm.
• On Tuesday, Zelenskyy canceled his trip to Davos due to the consequences of Russian attacks and the critical electricity situation in the country.
• There is a Ukrainian delegation in Davos, including Head of the Presidential Office Kyrylo Budanov and NSDC Secretary Rustem Umerov.
• Trump arrived in Davos yesterday and said he plans to meet with Zelenskyy.
• Witkoff was at the forum; he met with the Ukrainian delegation.
• Witkoff and Kushner will meet with Putin in Moscow today.

Zelenskyy flies to Davos

Answering media questions on Tuesday, January 20, Zelenskyy said he was choosing Kyiv rather than the economic forum in Davos. This statement was made against the backdrop of a difficult electricity situation in the capital after another Russian strike.

However, he did not rule out that everything could still change if certain documents with the United States were signed at the forum, including a prosperity plan and security guarantees.

This morning, it became known that Zelenskyy has already arrived in Davos. The meeting with Trump is preliminarily scheduled for 2 pm.

What Trump said

Trump arrived in Davos yesterday and during his speech stated that he plans to meet with Zelenskyy “today.” The American leader once again said that Russian president Vladimir Putin wants to stop the war, and that Zelenskyy wants the same.

“I'm dealing with President Zelenskyy, and I think he wants to make a deal. I'm meeting him today,” Trump said.

Read Trump’s main statements in a separate RBC-Ukraine report.

Trump also said that they are moderately close to signing a deal, and if Zelenskyy and Putin do not sign it, then “they're fools.”

Witkoff is flying to Putin

Yesterday, Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff, who is also in Davos, announced a visit to Moscow. As Putin later confirmed, on January 22, he will meet with Trump’s team.

Speaking about the upcoming meeting with Putin, Witkoff noted that Putin is interested in signing a peace agreement with Ukraine. At the same time, Western media reported that the Americans are bringing Putin an updated peace plan.

Earlier, on the sidelines of the Davos forum, Trump’s envoys met with the Ukrainian negotiating team, with Head of the Presidential Office Kyrylo Budanov and NSDC Secretary Rustem Umerov.

It may be interesting

• What is known about the peace plan? The peace plan is a document that the United States is working on with Ukraine and Russia. The peace plan currently contains 20 points, most of which have been agreed upon. However, key issues remain unresolved.
• Which points of the peace plan have not yet been agreed on? The issue of territories remains unresolved. Russia wants Ukraine to fully withdraw from Donbas; this is unacceptable for Ukraine. The United States proposes a compromise — a free economic zone in Donbas. However, Zelenskyy believes that the people of Ukraine should make the relevant decision. Therefore, if a FEZ is included in the peace plan, it will be put to a referendum. The second issue on which there is no agreement is control over the Zaporizhzhia NPP. Ukraine proposes joint control together with the United States. The Russians want to control the Zaporizhzhia NPP together with the United States and without Ukraine.
• What is known about security guarantees from the United States? Security guarantees from the United States for Ukraine have not yet been signed. According to media reports, they are likely to be provided to Ukraine for 15 years. Zelenskyy said that he discussed the timelines with Trump and is waiting for a final decision from him.

Read also:

• Zelenskyy revealed details of the peace plan
• Zelenskyy and Trump met ahead of the New Year in the United States