The war in Ukraine has taken center stage at the Davos Forum, dominated since Wednesday by the presence of Donald Trump. Volodymyr Zelensky delivered a speech on Thursday in which he harshly criticized Europe and then hinted at the possibility of peace with Russia. The Ukrainian president has hinted at a trilateral meeting with Russia and the US over the weekend starting this Friday. Zelensky, who met with Trump, has agreed on security guarantees but acknowledged that the major obstacle remains the control of Donbass, consisting of two regions that Putin wants entirely but where Ukraine maintains some resistance strongholds.
Regarding Greenland, on Wednesday Trump surprisingly announced an agreement on Greenland and suspended the threat of tariffs on European countries supporting Denmark's sovereignty over the island. However, on Thursday, he stated that the details of the agreement are still being negotiated but assumed that he will grant the US "full access, with no time limit." Judging by the statements of European leaders before the summit on Thursday, the tension fueled by Trump has damaged their relations with the EU.
The President of the European Commission, Ursula Von der Leyen, has stated that the European body will soon propose a substantial investment package for Greenland, the semi-autonomous territory of Denmark. The leader pointed out that this measure will help "strengthen the European Union's relationship with Greenland."
Russia warns that without resolving the territorial issue, there will be no peace in Ukraine
The Kremlin warned on Friday that without resolving the territorial issue, there will be no "lasting" peace in Ukraine, following the negotiations held early Friday between Russian President Vladimir Putin and White House envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. Reported by Efe.
"The important thing is that during these negotiations between our president and the Americans, it was once again confirmed that without resolving the territorial issue (...) a lasting settlement cannot be expected," said Yuri Ushakov, Kremlin's international advisor, according to the TASS agency.
Putin offers Witkoff frozen Russian assets for Gaza but will continue invading Ukraine until an agreement is reached
The special envoy of Donald Trump, Steve Witkoff; and Jared Kushner, son-in-law of the US president, met with the Russian president in Moscow last night to discuss Ukraine. Once again, few results beyond the Russian side filling Trump's ears from a distance and posing as the most interested in achieving peace in the country they have been invading since 2022: "The Americans did a lot to prepare for security talks, we hope this will lead to a solution," said the Kremlin after four in the morning in Moscow, while emphasizing that Russia desires a diplomatic agreement but will continue on the battlefield until that happens. Moscow insists that without resolving the territorial issue as indicated in the Alaska summit, there are no prospects for a long-term solution.
According to the Kremlin, the talks between Putin and the US envoys were substantive, constructive, and very frank. This has been the seventh meeting between Putin and Witkoff in a year of Trump's term. Not once has he traveled to Ukraine.
The European Union reaffirms its "full support" for Denmark and Greenland
The President of the European Council, Antonio Costa, emphasized on Friday the idea of continuing to work with the United States, as long as there is mutual respect. Or, rather, respect from Trump's side. "We believe that relations between partners and allies should be managed in a cordial and respectful manner. Europe and the United States share an interest in the security of the Arctic region, particularly through work within NATO. The European Union will also play a stronger role in this region," he stated.
"In this context, I want to be very clear that the Kingdom of Denmark and Greenland have the full support of the European Union. Only the Kingdom of Denmark and Greenland can decide on matters concerning Denmark and Greenland," he emphasized regarding the situation of the mentioned island. Reported by Daniel Viaña.
Europe will invest in Greenland and manufacture defense equipment ready for the Arctic
The European Commission will soon propose a substantial investment package for Greenland, the semi-autonomous territory of Denmark, as confirmed by the President of the EU's executive arm, Ursula von der Leyen, in a press conference on Friday.
"We are working to strengthen the EU's relationship with Greenland and, as part of this, the Commission will soon present a substantial investment package," she clarified, ensuring that the EU will use the increase in defense spending on equipment prepared for the Arctic, such as a European icebreaker. Reported by Reuters.
"We should strengthen our security and defense agreements with partners in the region, such as the United Kingdom, Canada, Norway, Iceland, and others; this has become a true geopolitical necessity for Greenland so far," concluded the European leader.
The European Commission is working to "strengthen the relationship" between the EU and Greenland
The President of the European Commission, Ursula Von der Leyen, states that they are working to "strengthen the relationship between the European Union and Greenland with a substantial investment package."
In her statements, the leader pointed out that the increased defense spending should be used for "equipment prepared for the Arctic, such as a European icebreaker." Reported by Reuters.
The European Union expresses concern about Trump's "Peace Council"
The European Union has serious doubts about some elements of the US President Donald Trump's "Peace Council" letter. Especially regarding its scope, governance, and compatibility with the United Nations Charter. Reported by Reuters
One dead after the attack on two southeastern Ukrainian localities by Russian forces
Russian forces launched attacks on two southeastern Ukrainian localities on Thursday, killing one person and injuring more than 20, as reported by local authorities.
The governor of the Zaporizhia region confirmed in a Telegram post that Russian forces carried out four attacks on the town of Komyshuvakha, resulting in one death and 10 injuries. Several private homes were damaged in the attack on the city, located east of the regional capital, also called Zaporizhia. Reported by Reuters.
In the industrial city of Kryvyi Rih, the hometown of President Volodymyr Zelensky in the Dnipropetrovsk region, a combined drone and missile attack injured 13 people, including four children, as reported on Telegram by Oleksandr Vilkul, head of the city's military administration.
Russian strategic bombers conduct patrol over the Baltic Sea, according to the Ministry of Defense
Russian long-range strategic bombers Tu-22M3 carried out a scheduled patrol over neutral waters of the Baltic Sea, as reported by the Ministry of Defense through its Telegram channel and covered by Reuters.
The bombers were accompanied by Su-35S and Su-30SM fighters, the ministry noted.