Zelensky: "Will Attend Davos Only If U.S. Is Ready to Sign Peace Plan"

Volodymyr Zelensky, President of Ukraine, announced on January 20 (local time) that he would not attend the World Economic Forum (WEF, also known as the Davos Forum) unless there was progress in discussions on a plan to end the war.

According to foreign media including Reuters, President Zelensky stated in a Q&A session with reporters via social media on the same day, "I will only travel to Davos when the United States is ready to sign a security guarantee and prosperity (postwar economic reconstruction) plan."

Instead of attending the Davos Forum, he expressed his intention to focus all efforts on leading the restoration of electricity and heating facilities that have been damaged by a series of recent Russian airstrikes.

President Zelensky explained, "Due to Russia's large-scale airstrikes, about half of the apartments in Kyiv have lost electricity and heating, and I am staying in Kyiv to help coordinate the response."

He added, "I have chosen Ukraine over the economic forum, but this could change at any time," emphasizing, "Ending the war is extremely important for Ukrainians."

Volodymyr Zelensky, President of Ukraine. The Asia Business Daily DB

President Zelensky's 'conditional attendance' stance is in line with his previous remarks that Ukraine has completed its part regarding the peace plan, and now only a decision from the United States remains.

Some interpret that President Zelensky's expectations for a peace deal have diminished, as the controversy over the forced annexation of Greenland has effectively pushed the Ukraine war to the background.

It is reported that President Zelensky dispatched a delegation to the United States last weekend to discuss the details of the peace plan, but no concrete progress was made.

Former President Trump, on January 15, identified President Zelensky as an obstacle to ending the war and is urging Ukraine to make concessions.

Even if President Zelensky does not attend the Davos Forum, negotiations on the peace plan between the United States and Ukrainian delegations are expected to continue.

Rustem Umerov, Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine, wrote on social media on January 19 after concluding talks with the United States, "We have agreed to continue our team-level work during the next round of discussions to be held in Davos."