"Voldymyr Zelenskyy was reported on Wednesday evening to be bound for Davos after Donald Trump appeared to summon him to the World Economic Forum. The Ukrainian president had said a day earlier that he did not expect to attend the conference in Switzerland as Russian attacks had plunged Ukraine into an energy crisis: Undoubtedly, I choose Ukraine in this case, rather than the economic forum, but everything can change at any moment."
"Talks between senior Ukrainian representatives and Trump's envoys have been continuing since Saturday, including in Davos, but late on Wednesday it was unclear whether there would be any documents to sign. Top Ukrainian negotiator Rustem Umerov said he had met US representatives Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner in Davos. Umerov repeated the familiar refrain that their talks focused on security guarantees and postwar recovery. Umerov said a Ukrainian delegation also met representatives of the US investment firm Blackrock about rebuilding plans."
"Vladimir Putin, the Russian president, meanwhile said that he would meet on Thursday with Witkoff and Kushner, who were headed from Davos to Moscow. Interestingly, Putin, quoted by Russian news agencies, said he would discuss with the US envoys the possible use of frozen Russian assets. The EU has been wrangling with how to mobilise Belgian-held Russian assets, about 300bn ($350bn) worth, to help Ukraine defend itself and rebuild."
Zelenskyy was reported to be travelling to Davos following a summons from Donald Trump, despite previously saying he did not expect to attend because Russian attacks created an energy crisis. Trump initially said the meeting would be on Wednesday, but officials later clarified it would take place on Thursday. Zelenskyy emphasised that meetings with the United States should yield concrete results and signed documents. Senior Ukrainian negotiator Rustem Umerov met US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to discuss security guarantees and postwar recovery, and met BlackRock representatives about rebuilding plans. Putin also planned to meet the envoys and raised the possible use of frozen Russian assets while the EU debates mobilising Belgian-held funds.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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