Politics Selenskyj: Meeting between the USA, Russia and Ukraine
Representatives of the USA, Ukraine and Russia want to negotiate a possible end to the war in the United Arab Emirates. This was announced by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky after a meeting with US President Donald Trump at the World Economic Forum in the Swiss Alpine resort of Davos. The talks at expert level were to take place on Friday and Saturday.
22.01.2026, 16:30
SDA
Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff had also previously spoken of these talks in Abu Dhabi. He is due to fly to Moscow in the evening to speak with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Selenskyj: Is Moscow prepared to compromise?
Selensky spoke of a first trilateral meeting, but lowered expectations. It was a surprise from the Americans. "I hope that the Emirates are aware of this." Nevertheless, it is important to see whether Russia is prepared to compromise.
There have been no direct official meetings between the two warring parties for several months, with Istanbul being the most recent venue. However, Russian and Ukrainian military officials have used Abu Dhabi for informal meetings to discuss the exchange of prisoners of war.
Trump after meeting: Still have a way to go
Both sides provided only scant information on the meeting between Trump and Zelensky in Davos, which was scheduled at short notice. According to Trump, there was no breakthrough. There is "still a way to go", he told reporters.
It had been a good conversation with Selensky. We will have to see how the talks between his negotiators Witkoff and Jared Kushner and Kremlin boss Putin go. The message to Putin was: "The war must stop."
Selensky also spoke of a good meeting. They talked about air defense and "documents". This probably refers to the planned agreements on security guarantees and the reconstruction of the country. According to both sides, the first meeting between the US President and Zelensky this year lasted about an hour.
Fierce criticism of European allies and NATO
Zelensky used the international stage at the World Economic Forum to criticize his European allies and NATO. He accused them of not supporting his country enough in the war with Russia: "Europe likes to discuss the future, but is afraid to act today - actions that decide what kind of future we have."
Selensky also criticized NATO. The transatlantic defense alliance only exists because of the belief that the US would not stand idly by in the event of an attack, but would help. "But no one has ever seen the alliance in action," said Selenskyj. He called for an increase in the armed forces. It had taken pressure from US President Donald Trump before the allies increased their defense spending.
In his speech, Selensky also made fun of the expressions of solidarity by European states, which had sent units to the world's largest island during the USA's conflict with Europe over Greenland. If you send a total of 40 soldiers, what do you want to say? "What message does it send to Putin, to China, and above all: what message does it send to Denmark, the most important close ally?" said Selenskyj.
Trump: Selensky wants a deal
Trump had announced his meeting with Zelensky in Davos on Wednesday and said that he believed Zelensky wanted to make a deal. "I think I can say that we are reasonably close." The Republican repeated his demand that the war in Ukraine, which has been going on for almost four years, must end. Putin and Zelenskyi would be stupid if they did not agree to a deal, he said.
A trip by Zelensky to Davos had been uncertain for a long time. He had said on Tuesday that he had a lot to do in his own country due to the ongoing Russian attacks from the air. According to Mayor Vitali Klitschko, around 3,000 high-rise buildings in the capital Kiev were still without heating on Thursday morning following such airstrikes.
