US President Donald Trump has said he expects to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, claiming efforts to end the war in Ukraine are approaching a breakthrough.
Speaking ahead of the gathering in Switzerland, Mr Trump said a deal to end Russia’s invasion of Ukraine was “reasonably close” and could be reached soon. However, he pointed to what he described as “abnormal hatred” between Mr Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin as a major obstacle.
“We have to get it stopped,” Mr Trump said. “I believe they’re at a point now where they can come together and get a deal done. And if they don’t, they’re stupid.”
The US president initially said the meeting with Mr Zelenskyy would take place on Wednesday, but Ukraine’s presidential office said the leader was in Kyiv and not attending the WEF. Mr Trump later indicated the meeting would instead happen on Thursday.
Mr Trump said he believed both Mr Zelenskyy and Mr Putin wanted to reach an agreement, despite previous talks collapsing in recent months. Meanwhile, the Kremlin confirmed it expects US special envoy Steve Witkoff to meet President Putin in Moscow on Thursday.
The war in Ukraine is now nearing its fourth year, with continued heavy fighting and no formal peace talks currently under way.
In a separate part of his Davos address, Mr Trump raised fresh doubts about NATO’s commitment to the United States, questioning whether the military alliance would come to America’s defence if required.
“We will be there for them 100%, but I am not sure that they’d be there for us,” he said. “With all the money we have spent, with all the blood, sweat and tears, I don’t know that they’ll be there for us.”
His comments come despite NATO’s collective defence clause, Article 5, which states that an attack on one member is considered an attack on all. The provision has been invoked only once, following the September 11, 2001 attacks on the US.
Mr Trump’s remarks have also fuelled concerns about tensions within the alliance, particularly as he continues to push for greater US control over Greenland, an autonomous territory of fellow NATO member Denmark.
About The Author
