Ukrainian's Zelensky to meet with Trump in Davos • FRANCE 24 English

Key Concepts:

• Davos Peace Talks: High-level discussions at the World Economic Forum in Davos concerning a potential peace deal between Russia and Ukraine.
• Security Guarantees: Commitments from Western nations to ensure Ukraine's security, particularly in the event of a peace agreement, a key point of contention with Russia.
• Red Lines: Non-negotiable conditions set by parties in a conflict; specifically, Russia's refusal of NATO forces in Ukraine and Ukraine's refusal to cede territory.
• International Supervision: A proposed mechanism for disputed territories where an an international body would oversee administration, aiming to resolve territorial issues at a later date.
• Post-War Reconstruction and Development: Plans and investments aimed at rebuilding Ukraine's infrastructure and economy after the conflict.
• Prosperity Plan: A proposed framework for significant US investment and aid to Ukraine for its post-war recovery, with a long-term financial projection.
• Ukrenergo: Ukraine's national energy company, responsible for maintaining and repairing the country's electricity grid, especially critical during wartime attacks.
• Ceasefire Deal: An agreement to temporarily or permanently stop active combat, often a precursor to broader peace negotiations.

Shifting Focus to Peace Talks and Zelenskyy's Davos Visit The international focus has rapidly shifted from previous discussions (e.g., Greenland) to the "board of peace" being discussed at Davos, particularly a meeting involving Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Philip Tell, International Affairs Editor, notes the swift pace of developments. There is significant skepticism within Ukraine regarding the potential outcomes of these meetings.

Donald Trump's Perspective and Criticisms Donald Trump's previous statements emphasized that both Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelenskyy desire a ceasefire deal and should convene for discussions. Trump reportedly stated they would be "stupid if they failed to come together to get a deal done." However, a key criticism highlighted is Trump's omission of Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the lack of emphasis on pressuring Russia to withdraw, which is seen as crucial for a genuine peace process.

Key Sticking Points and "Red Lines" in Negotiations Discussions are reportedly stalled on at least one critical issue, which Steve Wickoff suggests might be related to "security guarantees" that Western nations are attempting to impose on Russia in the event of a ceasefire.

• Russia's Red Line: Russia has explicitly stated it will not accept the presence of forces from NATO member countries inside Ukraine.
• Ukraine's Red Line: Ukraine considers handing over territory to Russia in exchange for a ceasefire as a non-negotiable "red line."
• Ukraine's Proposal for Disputed Territory: To address the territorial dispute, Ukraine is proposing that the contested territory be placed under international supervision, with a view to resolving its status at a later date.

Zelenskyy's Hesitation and the Humanitarian Crisis in Ukraine President Zelenskyy's decision to attend Davos was initially uncertain, as Ukraine has been under intense fire from Russian forces. The severe humanitarian situation at home contributed to his hesitation.

• Impact on Kyiv: Approximately 60% of Kyiv has been without electricity, with 3,000 buildings knocked out. The city is experiencing icy conditions, with temperatures dropping to -15 degrees Celsius.
• Zelenskyy's Sentiment: He expressed that it was "not the moment to come back to talk to officials about a peace plan when there's so much misery going on back home."

Ukrainian Optimism and US Engagement Galvver Craig, reporting from Kyiv, confirms a low level of optimism regarding an immediate peace deal, noting that Vladimir Putin's objectives and attitudes appear unchanged, as he still believes his troops are gaining ground. However, Ukrainians view President Zelenskyy's meetings with Donald Trump as reasonably successful. It is considered beneficial for Zelenskyy to meet the US President while Trump's envoys, Steve Wickoff and Jared Kushner, are simultaneously meeting with Russian officials in Moscow. This parallel engagement aims to ensure Ukraine's voice is heard and to prevent Russia from solely influencing the US position.

Potential US Security Guarantees and the "Prosperity Plan" There is an expectation that documents concerning potential US security guarantees for Ukraine, contingent on a peace deal, might be signed. However, significant skepticism surrounds the specifics of what might be agreed upon.

• "Prosperity Plan": A more concrete development discussed is the framework of a "prosperity plan," outlining US assistance and investment in Ukraine for post-war reconstruction and development. This plan involves a substantial, "eye-watering figure of $800 billion" over several years.
• Clarification on Funding: It is crucial to note that this $800 billion is not an immediate grant or loan but rather a projected total if all aspects of the plan proceed successfully over an extended period. Some Ukrainian politicians and media have, however, attempted to portray it as a more immediate and direct financial injection.

Ongoing Humanitarian Crisis and Critical Infrastructure Repairs Despite a recent "rest bite from the shelling" in Kyiv over the past two nights, allowing for some repairs to electricity and heating systems, the humanitarian situation remains dire.

• Heating Shortages: According to Kyiv City Hall, approximately 2,000 high-rise apartment blocks, affecting tens to hundreds of thousands of people, are still without heating. Temperatures remain "well below freezing."
• Tragic Loss of Key Engineer: The country suffered a significant loss with the death of Alexi Bre, a top engineer from Ukrenergo. He was killed by an electric shock while working on a substation. Colleagues described him as "the man behind the amazing repairs" that consistently restored electricity in incredibly short times after Russian strikes over the last four winters.

Synthesis and Conclusion The discussions at Davos highlight the complex and challenging path to peace in Ukraine. While there's low optimism for an immediate ceasefire due to fundamental disagreements on territorial integrity and security guarantees, President Zelenskyy's engagement with the US is seen as crucial for balancing narratives and securing long-term support. The proposed "Prosperity Plan" offers a vision for post-war reconstruction, albeit with a long-term financial commitment rather than immediate aid. The ongoing humanitarian crisis, marked by widespread power and heating outages and the tragic loss of critical personnel like Alexi Bre, underscores the urgent need for a resolution while simultaneously complicating peace efforts. The "red lines" set by both Russia and Ukraine, particularly regarding territory and NATO presence, remain significant obstacles.