Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy arrived in Switzerland on Thursday for critical talks in Davos with U.S. President Donald Trump, as signs emerged that long-running peace negotiations over the Ukraine war may be nearing a decisive moment.
U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff said substantial progress has been made behind closed doors, noting that discussions are now focused on resolving a single remaining issue. His comments came as global attention turned to Davos, where diplomatic efforts appear to be intensifying after months of uncertainty.
Just days earlier, Zelenskiy had publicly stated he would skip the World Economic Forum to stay in Kyiv, citing an escalating energy crisis. Russian airstrikes have repeatedly targeted Ukraine’s power infrastructure, leaving large parts of the capital and several regions facing blackouts and severe disruptions during winter.
Zelenskiy had made clear that he would only consider traveling to Davos if there was a genuine opportunity to secure an agreement with Trump one that would include firm security guarantees for Ukraine and financial support for post-war reconstruction after nearly four years of conflict.
That condition appeared to be met on Wednesday when Trump confirmed a face-to-face meeting with the Ukrainian leader. According to Zelenskiy’s spokesperson, the two leaders were scheduled to meet at 1 p.m. local time, followed by Zelenskiy’s address at the forum later in the afternoon.
Witkoff has been actively engaged with Ukrainian officials in Davos over recent days, building on discussions held in Florida last weekend. His diplomatic efforts are part of a broader push by Washington to explore a potential framework for ending Europe’s deadliest conflict since World War Two.
Later on Thursday, Witkoff and fellow U.S. envoy Jared Kushner were expected to travel to Moscow for talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The Kremlin confirmed the meeting would take place in the evening, underscoring the fast-moving and delicate nature of the negotiations.
As leaders move between Davos, Kyiv, Washington, and Moscow, the stakes remain immense. For millions of Ukrainians living through power outages, uncertainty, and loss, these talks are not just about geopolitics they are about survival, security, and the hope that diplomacy might finally open a path toward peace.
