Donald Trump’s explosive speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos had at least one good thing: he also talked about the war in Ukraine. “It is a bloodbath there and I want it to end,” said the US President. Although NATO and Europe in particular have to take responsibility, Trump emphasized that he continues to work for an end to the war – out of compassion for the people. “They are young. Young people like you. (…) They go to war, their parents are so proud.” Two weeks later they were dead. That’s exactly why he wanted to end the war.
People in Kyiv looked ahead to the summit in Davos with concern. It became clear that there were many topics on the agenda, but that the war against Russia would play a secondary role.
It currently seems more important for European politics to dissuade President Trumpto bring Greenland under American control and to impose punitive tariffs on eight European countries. The war in Ukraine is becoming increasingly sidelined.
In his speech, Trump announced a meeting with Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky on Wednesday. He said he believed he wanted to make a deal. But it was unclear whether he would even be there. Zelensky himself had already announced on Tuesday that he had a lot to do in his own country due to the ongoing Russian air attacks and would therefore only travel to Switzerland if there was a document ready to be signed or further promises of aid, for example for the delivery of anti-aircraft weapons. Observers suspect that Ukrainian diplomacy failed to arrange a meeting between Zelensky and Trump.
Talks between Ukraine and the USA also in Davos
The shift in the diplomatic agenda, according to the respected newspaper Dserkalo Tyschnja, cause increasing frustration in Kyiv and European capitals: “There is a real war against Russia in Ukraine. Greenland is distracting from what we should actually be talking about,” quotes the Dserkalo Tyschnja the Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide. “It would be good to focus on the real war that is going on.”
The transatlantic dispute is hitting Ukraine at the worst possible time. Russia steps up missile and drone attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure in the middle of the coldest winter in years. While talks between Ukrainian and US representatives are set to continue in Davos, so far there are only vague plans for an “economic prosperity” agreement between Washington and Kyiv that was supposed to be signed this week.
In Ukraine, there are different assessments of Zelensky’s likely cancellation of participation in the Davos economic summit. Sofina Fedina, a member of the opposition European Solidarity, doubts Zelensky’s reasoning that he is staying in the country because of the tense energy situation. She writes on her Facebook page that Zelensky won’t be carrying out repairs himself. Foreign policy is a matter for the boss. Especially now in light of Trump’s statements about Greenland.
Foreign policy is a matter for the boss
Sofina Fedina, member of the Ukrainian parliament
Irina Herashchenko, also a European Solidarity MP, also criticized Zelensky’s decision. Davos is not just about Trump, she emphasizes. The summit would have enabled numerous important discussions. Above all, Zelensky would have had the opportunity to once again alert the world to the targeted cold torture of civilians as a result of Russian attacks. Davos would have been the ideal place to press partners for tougher sanctions and more support in the energy sector.
Political scientist: Ukraine will not be forgotten
Instead, says Herashchenko, Ukrainian foreign policy acts like an uncoordinated pendulum. Sometimes they organize loud but inconclusive “peace summits”, sometimes they ignore the most important international forums. It is good that Kyrylo Budanov, head of Zelensky’s presidential administration, and a delegation are representatives of Ukraine in Davos. But Zelensky’s personal presence would have carried more weight.
Political scientist Volodymyr Fesenko sees the matter more calmly. Given the current situation, Ukraine is not at the top of the priority list. But the war is a long-term conflict and there is no quick solution in sight. Nevertheless, Ukraine will not be forgotten.
After all, negotiations about Ukraine will also be taking place in Davos, said Fesenko. The entire Ukrainian negotiating delegation, which had previously held talks in the USA, is there. At the same time, the Russian special envoy Kirill Dmitriev is also in Switzerland. Davos remains a central venue for diplomatic contacts on the Ukraine issue.
According to Fesenko, the Ukrainian population would hardly have understood it if Zelensky had traveled to Switzerland in the midst of his country’s difficult situation. (with dpa)