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Trump and Zelenskyy Meet on Sidelines at Davos; Ukrainian President Zelenskyy Addresses World Economic Forum; Zelenskyy Calls on Europe to Act Together to Build Better World; Zelenskyy Critical of Europe in Davos Speech; Zelenskyy Asks for Global Businesses to Open in Ukraine. Aired 9- 10a ET
Aired January 22, 2026 - 09:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[09:00:00]
BECKY ANDERSON, CNN HOST, CONNECT THE WORLD: Well, President Trump wrapped up the first meeting of what he is calling the Board of Peace. It's 03:00
p.m. in Davos in Switzerland. It is 06:00 p.m. here in Abu Dhabi. I'm Becky Anderson, you're watching the "Connect the World".
Also coming up before leaving Davos, the U.S. leader, squeezed in a meeting with President Zelenskyy. Trump described that meeting as good. No talk of
a breakthrough in the war on Ukraine. Zelenskyy is due to address the World Economic Forum as we speak. We'll get to that just as soon starts.
Also, Trump held a framework for a future deal with NATO on Greenland, but offers few details. Well, the stock market in New York opens in about 30
minutes from now and it does look like a good start. President Trump's Greenland shift and his tariff climb down, fueling investor sentiment.
There are markets bounce back to Wall Street for the bell and the open at 09:30 local time. Well, it is just after three in the afternoon in
Switzerland, U.S. President Donald Trump met with Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Davos a short time ago. In remarks to reporters,
Trump said it had been a good meeting, but there were still ways to go towards ending Ukraine's war with Russia.
Well, also today, Trump's Envoys are set to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow for more talks. On Wednesday, Trump said the war was a
bloodbath that he wants to end while questioning why that burden falls upon the United States.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: They don't appreciate what we do. Talking about NATO, I'm talking about Europe. They
have to work on Ukraine. We don't. The United States is very far away, we have a big, beautiful ocean separating us. We have nothing to do with it.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Right, CNN's Nick Paton Walsh, following this story for us and just a reminder to our viewers that Zelenskyy is scheduled to speak right
now in Davos, and just as soon as he gets up to start, we will get to that. Before that no detail on the substance of Trump and Zelenskyy's discussion
in the past hour or so, save for the U.S. President describing that meeting as having gone well.
What do you understand to be sort of two sides positions at this point, Nick?
NICK PATON WALSH, CNN CHIEF INTERNATIONAL SECURITY CORRESPONDENT: Yeah. I mean, obviously there have been hopes of this Davos meeting would result in
the prosperity deal, the bid to get Ukraine's allies in Europe and elsewhere to contribute towards an $800 billion fund they hope will rebuild
the country in the event of peace time, all we're hearing, though, about this roughly hour-long meeting, is from both sides that it was, quote,
good.
Trump saying it had ways to go. Now his envoy, Steve Witkoff, is likely on their way soon to Moscow to meet with the Kremlin, possibly Vladimir Putin
himself. And Witkoff, earlier in the day, said that there remained just one issue, a paraphrase here, that was really outstanding.
And that they were aware of the different permutations of that, discussing them, and therefore it was solvable. But I understand from a European
official that issue is territory. Now that's what Russia has wanted since its invasion, and that is the ultimate sticking point of this peace
negotiation that Vladimir Putin wants to see.
This territory that he has not taken by military force in the Donbas area handed over to him by Ukraine. That's a red line for Ukraine. The current
position we understand in various parts of the documents floated around last elucidated late last year, suggests some kind of arrangement where the
front lines would stay roughly where there are --
ANDERSON: OK, Nick, I'm going to stop you there. The Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy about to address the World Economic Forum after his
meeting with the U.S. President. Let's listen in.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
VOLODYMYR ZELENSKYY, PRESIDENT OF UKRAINE: -- American film Groundhog Day with Bill Murray and Andie MacDowell, yes, but no one would want to live
like that, repeating the same thing for weeks, months, and of course, for years. And yet, that's exactly how we like how we live now, and it's our
life.
[09:05:00]
And every forum like this one proves it. Just last year here in Davos, I ended my speech with the words, Europe needs to know how to defend itself.
A year has passed and nothing has changed. We are still in a situation where I must say the same words, but why? The answer is not just about the
threats that exist or may appear.
Each year brings something new for Europe and for the world. Everyone turned attention to Greenland, and it's clear most leaders simply are not
sure what to do about it. And it seems like everyone is just waiting for America to cool down on this topic, hoping it will pass away.
But what if will not? What then? There was so much talk about the protests in Iran, but they drowned in blood. The world has not helped enough the
Iranian people and it drown. It has stood aside in Europe, there was Christmas and New Year celebrations, the seasonal holidays.
By the time politicians came back to work and started forming a position, that Ayatollah has already killed thousands, and what will Iran become
after this bloodshed, if the regime survives, it sends a clear signal to every bully, kill enough people and you stay in power.
Who in Europe needs that message to become a reality? And yet, Europe hasn't even tried to build its own response. Let's look at the Western
Hemisphere. President Trump led an operation in Venezuela, and Maduro was arrested, and there were different opinions about it, but the fact remains,
Maduro is on trial in New York.
Sorry, but Putin is not on trial. And this is the fourth year of the biggest war in Europe since World War Two, and the man who started it is
not only free, he is still fighting for his frozen money in Europe. And you know what? He is having some success. It's true. It's Putin who is trying
to decide how the frozen Russian assets should be used, not those who have the power to punish him for this war.
Thankfully, the EU decided to freeze Russian assets indefinitely, and I'm grateful for that. Thanks, Ursula, thanks, Antonio and all the leaders who
helped, but when the time came to use the assets to defend against Russian aggression, the decision was blocked. Putin managed -- yes, yes -- managed
to stop Europe unfortunately.
Next point, because of the America's position, people are now avoiding the topic of the International Criminal Court, and that's understandable. It's
American historical position. But at the same time, there is still no real progress on establishing a special tribunal for Russian aggression against
Ukraine, against the Ukrainian people, and we have an agreement.
It's true. Many meetings have taken place, but still, Europe hasn't reached even the point of having a home for the tribunal with staff and actual work
happening inside. What's missing time or political will? Too often in Europe, something else is always more urgent than justice.
Right now, we are working actively with partners on security guarantees, and I'm grateful for that. But those are for after the war ends. Once the
ceasefire begins, there will be contingents and joint patrols and partner flags on Ukrainian soil. And that is very good step, and the right signal
that UK and France are ready to actually commit their forces on the ground, and there is already a forced agreement on that.
Thank you, Keir, thanks Emmanuel and all the leaders in our coalition, and we are doing everything to make sure that our coalition of the willing's,
truly becomes a coalition of action.
[09:10:00]
And again, everyone is very positive, but always but, but the backstop of President Trump is needed. And again, no security guarantees work without
the U.S. But what about the ceasefire itself. Who can help make it happen? Europe loves to discuss the future, but avoids taking action today, action
that defines what kind of future we will have.
That is the problem. Why can President Trump stop tankers from the shadow fleet and seize oil but Europe doesn't. Russian oil is being transported
right along European shores. That oil funds the war against Ukraine, that oil helps destabilize Europe. So Russian oil must be stopped and
confiscated and sold for Europe's benefit.
Why not? If Putin has no money, there is no war for Europe. If Europe has money, then it can protect its people. Right now, those tankers are making
money for Putin, and that means Russia continues to push its sick agenda. Next point, I've said that before, and I'll repeat it again Europe needs
United armed forces, forces that can truly defend Europe.
Today Europe relies only on the belief that if danger comes, NATO will act. But no one has really seen the alliance in action. If Putin decides to take
Lithuania or strike Poland, who will respond? Who will respond? Right now, NATO exists thanks to believe, believe that the United States will act,
that it will not stand aside and will help.
But what if it doesn't. Believe me, this question is everywhere in the minds of every European leader, and some try to get closer to President
Trump. It's true. Some wait, hoping the problem will disappear. Some have started acting, investing in weapons production and et cetera, building
partnerships, getting public support for higher defense spending.
But let's remember, until America pressured Europe to spend more on defense, most countries were not even trying to reach 5 percent of GDP, the
minimum needed to ensure security. Europe needs to know how to defend itself, and if you send 30 or 40 soldiers to Greenland, what is that for?
What message does it send? What's the message to Putin to China, and even more importantly, what message does it send to Denmark, the most important
your close ally. You either declare that European bases will protect the region from Russia and China and establish those bases, or you risk not
being taken seriously, because 30 or 40 soldiers will not protect anything.
And we know what to do if Russian warships are sailing freely around Greenland, Ukraine can help. We have the expertise and weapons to ensure
not one of those ships remains. They can sink near Greenland, just as they do near Crimea. No problem. We have the tools and we have people for us the
sea is not the first line of defense.
So, we can take actions, and we know how to fight there, if we were asked, and if Ukraine were in NATO. But we are not. We will solve this problem
with the Russian ships. As for Iran, everyone is waiting to see what America will do. And the world offers nothing.
Europe offers nothing and doesn't not want to enter this issue at the support of the Iranian people and the democracy they need. But when you
refuse to help the people fighting for freedom, the consequences return, and they are always negative.
[09:15:00]
Belarus in 2020 is the example. No one helped their people, and now Russian or ethnic missiles are deployed in Belarus within range of most European
capitals. That would not have happened if the Belarusian people had won in 2020. And we have told our European partners multiple times, act now.
Act now against those missiles in Belarus. Missiles are never just decoration, but Europe still remains in Greenland mode, maybe someday
someone will do something. The issue of Russian oil is the same. It's good that many sanctions exist. Russian oil is getting cheaper, but the flow has
not stopped, and Russian companies that fund Putin's war machine are still working, and that will not change.
That will not change without more sanctions, and we are grateful for all the pressure put on the aggressor, but let's be honest, Europe must do more
so its sanctions block enemies as effectively as American -- Why is that important? Because if Europe is not seen as a global force, if its actions
don't scare bad actors, then Europe will always be reacting, catching up with new dangers and attacks.
We all see that the forces trying to destroy Europe do not face a single day. They operate freely, even operate inside Europe. Every victor who
lives off European money while trying to sell out European interests deserves a smack upside the head. And if he feels comfortable in Moscow, it
doesn't mean we should let European capitals become little Moscow's.
We must remember what separates Russia from all of us. The most fundamental line of conflict between Russia and Ukraine and all of Europe is this.
Russia fights to devalue people, to make sure that when dictators want to destroy someone, they can but they must lose power, not gain it.
For example, Russia's missiles are produced only because they are ways. There are ways to bypass sanctions. It's true. Everyone sees how Russia
tries to freeze Ukrainians now, our people, Ukrainians, to death at minus 20 degree Celsius. But Russia couldn't build any ballistic or cruise
missiles without critical components from other countries.
And it's not just China. Too often people hide behind the excuse that China helps Russia. Yes, it does, but not only China. Russia gets components from
companies in Europe, the United States and Taiwan. Right now, many are investing in stability around Taiwan to avoid war.
But can Taiwanese companies stop contributing electronics to Russia's war. Europe says almost nothing. America says nothing, and Putin makes missiles.
And I thank every country, of course, and every company that helps Ukraine repair its energy system. This is crucial.
Thank you to all who support the pearl program, helping us by patriot missiles. But wouldn't it be cheaper and easier to just cut Russia off from
the components it needs for missiles production, or even destroy the factor is making them. Last year, most of the time was spent talking about long
range weapons for Ukraine, and everybody said that the solution was -- within range.
Now no one is even talking about it, but Russian missiles and Shaheds are still here. And we still have the coordinates of the factories where there
are made. Today they target Ukraine. Tomorrow it could be any native country.
[09:20:00]
And here in Europe, we are advised not to mention tomahawks, not to mention tomahawks to the Americans, not to spoil the mood. And we are told not to
bring up Taurus missiles when the subject is Turkiye diplomats say, don't offend Greece. When is Greece, they say, be careful with Turkiye.
In Europe, there are endless internal arguments and things left unsaid that stop Europe from uniting and speaking honestly enough to find real
solutions. And too often, Europeans turn against each other, leaders, parties, movements and communities, instead of standing together to stop
Russia, which brings the same destruction to everyone, instead of becoming a truly global power, Europe remains a beautiful but fragmented
kaleidoscope of small and middle powers.
Instead of taking the lead in defending freedom worldwide, especially when America's focus shifts elsewhere, Europe looks lost, trying to convince the
U.S. President to change, but he will not change. President Trump loves who he is, and he says he loves Europe, but he will not listen to this kind of
Europe.
One of the biggest problems in today is Europe, though it's not often talked about, if the mindset some European leaders are from Europe, but not
always for Europe, and Europe still feels more like geography, history, a tradition, not real political force, not a great power.
Some Europeans are really strong, it's true, but many say we must stand strong, and they always want someone else to tell them how long they need
to stand strong, preferably until the next election. But that's not how great power works to my mind. Leaders say we must defend European
interests, but they hope someone else will do it for them.
And speaking of values, they often mean valueless. They are all like we need something to replace the old-world order with. But where is the line
of leaders who are ready to act? Act now, on land, in the air, at the sea, to build a new global order. You can't build a new world order out of
words, only actions create real order.
Today, America has launched the Board of Peace. Ukraine was invited. So was Russia. Belarus, though, the war hasn't stopped, and there is not even a
ceasefire. And have seen who joined. Everyone had their reasons. But here is the thing, Europe hasn't even formed a united position on the American
idea.
Maybe tonight, when the European Council meets, they will decide something. But the documents were already signed it this morning and tonight, they
might also finally decide something on Greenland. But last night, Mark Rutte had spoken to President Trump.
Thank you, Mark for your productiveness. America is already changing its position, but nobody knows exactly how. So, things move faster than we.
Things move faster than Europe. And how can Europe keep up? Dear friends, we should not degrade ourselves to secondary roles, not when we have a
chance to be a great power together.
We should not accept that Europe is just a salad of small and middle powers seasoned with enemies of Europe. When united, we are truly invincible, and
Europe can and must be a global force, not one that reacts late, but one that defines the future, that would help everyone from the Middle East to
every other region in the world, that would help Europe itself.
[09:25:00]
Because the challenges we face now are challenges to the European way of life, where people matter, where nations matter. Europe can help build a
better world. Europe must build a better world. Matter where nations matter. Europe can help build a better world. Europe must build a better
world, and a world without war, of course.
But for that, Europe needs strength. For that, we must act together and act in time, and most of all, we must have the courage to act. And we are
actively working to reach solutions, real solutions. Today, we met with President Trump, and our teams are working almost every day.
It's not simple. The documents aimed at ending this war are nearly ready, and that really matters. Ukraine is working with full honesty and
determination, and that brings results, and Russia must become ready too to finish this war, to stop this aggression, Russian aggression, Russian war
against us.
So, the pressure must be strong enough, and the support for Ukraine must grow even stronger. Our previous meetings with President of the United
States brought us air defense missiles, and thanks Europeans, they have also and today we also spoke about the protecting these key ski skies,
which means protecting lives, of course.
And I hope America will continue to stand with us, and Europe must be strong, and Ukraine is ready to help with anything needed to guarantee
peace and prevent destruction. We are ready to help others become stronger than they are now. We are ready to be part of a Europe that truly matters,
a Europe of real power, great power.
Today we need that power to protect our own independence, but you need Ukraine's independence too, because tomorrow you may have to defend your
way of life, and when Ukraine is with you, no one will wipe their feet on you, and you will always have a way to act and act in time.
This is very important, act in time. Dear friends, today is one of the last days of Davos, though definitely not the last Davos, of course. And
everyone agrees on that. Many people believe that somehow things will work out on their own, but we cannot rely on somehow for real security.
Faith is not enough. Faith in a partner, in a lucky tone of events, no intellectual discussions are capable of stopping wars. We need action.
World order comes from action, and we just need the courage to act without action. Now, there is no tomorrow. Let's end this Groundhog Day and yes,
it's possible. Thank you. Slava Ukraini.
BORGE BRENDE, PRESIDENT AND CEO OF THE WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM: President wanted me to sit, but I think you deserved every part of that standing
ovation Mr. President.
ZELENSKYY: Thank you so much.
BRENDE: It is very good to have you, back. How does did your meeting with President Trump go?
ZELENSKYY: Honestly.
BRENDE: Of course, honestly, but of course, in the interest of your country?
ZELENSKYY: Yes, it was in the interest of my country.
BRENDE: Yeah, the meeting was, I would never question that.
ZELENSKYY: No, no, no, the meeting was good, thanks to president, and thank you that he found time for us. And it's really, you know what today I saw
like my team, and they spoke with American team.
[09:30:00]
And before my meeting with President Trump, my team spent a lot of time with Americans, and even I wanted to ask President Trump to give them
American Task Force, because I think that they yes, really spend a lot of time. But be honest, I think that the meeting is very important.
We need in our boat. I hope this is the boat. This is ship to peace. And we need very much to have the United States. For the future, for security
guarantees, we understand that we Europe has to be stronger, but Europe will need time. And today, America is very strong, and I think that our
teams worked well.
And come, you know, like, I think this, like, last mile, which is very difficult, which during any dialog with any president, I have to defend the
interests of my country. That's why the dialog is maybe it's not simple, but it was today, it was positive.
BRENDE: And that's enough. I think that's a good answer.
ZELENSKYY: Thank you.
BRENDE: We know that Jared Kushner and also special representative, Steve Witkoff, is traveling this afternoon to Moscow. I think that, I think now
it all is also about when Russia is ready to stop the war, and it's hard to really understand what is in the head of Mr. Putin too. But what do you
think are the current calculations in Moscow?
ZELENSKYY: First of all, yes, American team will go to Moscow today. Yes, they waited for our meeting with President Trump, and now they will go and
my team will meet American team, and I think that it will be the first trilateral meeting in Emirates. It will be tomorrow and the day after
tomorrow.
Yes, it will be two days meetings in Emirates. I hope that Emirates know about it. Yes, sometimes we have such surprises from American side, yeah,
but in any way, they will go there. And I think this is good, if, on the technical level, will begin this trilateral meeting.
I hope that we will find some I don't know Russians have to be ready for compromises, because, you know, everybody has to be ready, not only
Ukraine, and this is important for us. So, we will see what result will be, but that Russians will meet, that our guys meet today with Americans, then
Americans will meet with Russians tomorrow, today is at night.
I don't know, when I don't know, maybe Putin is sleeping. You said that nobody knows what is in his head.
BRENDE: Yes.
ZELENSKYY: But --
BRENDE: They might have to wait a little bit for the meeting.
ZELENSKYY: I don't know. I don't know, but, and tomorrow and the day after tomorrow, we will have trilateral -- our guys will have trilateral
meetings. It's better than not to have any kind of dialog. So, we are under attacks. People live without electricity, and we are in a difficult
situation, but Russians also in a difficult situation, we are answering on the attacks and God bless, the war will stop. I hope so.
BRENDE: And what is now the most difficult part for Ukraine, we know its attack on your whole energy system and electricity, but then there are also
the casualties on the borders. So, the humanitarian situation is more challenging now than a year ago.
ZELENSKYY: Yes, with Russia tax energy, and this is they are focusing on it. And this is not a secret. This is not a mistake. This is their goal, to
make blackouts in Ukraine. And they attack mostly civilians. They don't use a lot of missiles, these expensive missiles, what about I spoke before,
they don't use it on the front.
[09:35:00]
They use it against civilian infrastructure, critical infrastructure. It's about everything, and hospitals, kindergartens, schools, but mostly it's
all about that technical things which are focusing on destroying, electricity, heating systems, water supplies, everything. Yes, this is,
where we are.
This is the face of Russia. And really, this is the face of this war. We have defending systems. We are really created, I think, great ideas with
drones, interceptors. We'll use them. We really produce them, about 1000 per day. We really produce about around it and but it's not enough.
It's still not enough. Russia has 500 about 500 drones, Iranian drones, each day, and dozens of missiles, ballistic missiles, and even those
systems what partners gave us? Of course, they could give us more. Yes, and I spoke with President Trump today about it again. And I hope it was the
last words, my last words, you know, like in Ukraine, said the everybody remember only the last words.
So, my last words been several times to President Trump. Don't forget about air defense. Don't forget about patriots. And so, this is very important
for us during this winter. So, I think that this is all these attacks. I can't say that these attacks make us stronger, because it's about our
people, the people I mean this -- they are surviving.
They are surviving in any case, but they are heroic people, civilians and soldiers, because they are not losers of this war, and this is important.
They fight for their families, houses, and of course, for the freedom and of course.
BRENDE: Wow, would you be willing to say something about the situation on the borders? The --
ZELENSKYY: You mean, contact line?
BRENDE: Yeah, contact line.
ZELENSKYY: It's Russia wants to have a border there, but it's contact lines.
BRENDE: Yeah, I'm glad you corrected me, president.
ZELENSKYY: No, it's OK. It's not the first time.
BRENDE: It's not OK. But, you know, coming back to the border line. So, would you like to say something about --
ZELENSKYY: Yes, yes. Look, like client. Look what week I mean this again, it's about technologies. And I wanted to show you, but I had some technical
questions and but I wanted to show you how we work. We see online the war. We see their real enemies. We see our losses and Russian losses.
Russian losses are the biggest what they had ever. So, I'm just sharing with you the real statistic is 45,000 killed per months. 35,000 soldiers.
Last year these months, it was about 14,000. So, Russia is not thinking about it, but we think about it. We think how they lose and how many
soldiers they lose.
We know that they mobilize 40, 43,000 per month, and they begin to lose 45. From these 43 you have to know that about 10, 15 percents are run away, and
there are some wounded, but you can understand that their army stopped increasing. This is important because of our drones' technologies and our
operators of drones.
And but in any way, we want to stop tomorrow this war, of course, but you have to know that, if the war will continue, Russia will begin, start,
begin to lose the number of the army, or Putin will decide to mobilize this country, his country, I mean.
BRENDE: Maybe last question, because I know you also need to go back to Kyiv.
ZELENSKYY: It was not interesting with me. Yes.
BRENDE: I -- your people is behind you and showing my watch all the time. I would love to continue for another 15 minutes, Mr. President. So --
ZELENSKYY: But not more.
BRENDE: 15 is OK.
ZELENSKYY: No, no, no -- the last question.
BRENDE: So, my last question, Mr. President, how can the people here at the World Economic Forum and in Davos support the most? I think you heard the
applause.
[09:40:00]
I think everyone wants to also show solidarity with you and the country.
ZELENSKYY: To defend our land. That's, I mean, this is very expensive task. So, if during Economic Forum, we can find as more businesses as possible
which can open offices in Ukraine. It means that you really trust and you believe that peace will come and that you really.
Yes, a little bit risk now, a little bit. We decided at the beginning, be honest today, a little bit, but we need your offices and companies mean
that you believe and you trust in Ukraine, in our independent life after the war. This is the biggest chance what you can do to invest now, to give
jobs for our people.
And I think this is the most important. This is real support, not words. Real support, jobs, money, investment come oftener to Ukraine.
BRENDE: Thank you.
ZELENSKYY: Thank you very much.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON: Right. That was the Ukrainian President there at the World Economic Forum in Davos. CNN's Nick Paton Walsh has been listening into
this and just what are your key takeaways from what we've just heard over the past half hour so, Nick?
WALSH: Yeah, I mean a very strident President Zelenskyy. They're clearly addressing the vast majority of the European leaders listening there, and
simply saying that, since I was last here, you've spoken a lot, but you have not done enough. There's not been enough action to cement Europe's
possibility of having a role in deciding the New World Order.
He said that the old global order had essentially changed, and someone needed, through actions, not words, to define what the new one would indeed
be. Yes, there were some kind words for France's Emmanuel Macron in the UK's Keir Starmer, who've committed, it seems, to put troops on the ground
inside Ukraine in the event of a peace deal.
But he was very strident, frankly, in how Europe has not done enough, not done enough, to create an international criminal court to bring Vladimir
Putin to justice. There's a warrant out for his arrest, citing that now Nicolas Maduro, the Former President of Venezuela, is now awaiting trial in
New York after swift action by the United States.
He also was clear about how the people of Iran had not seen adequate intervention to save their lives as well. I think, a speech that was
designed to stir European leaders there, potentially shaken by what we've been seeing around Greenland over the past week or so, into some kind of
action.
He said how Europe was still in Greenland mode, indeed, waiting for something, somewhere, somehow, to indeed happen. One key piece of news
though, Becky, he said that tomorrow and the next day, there would likely be meetings in the Emirates, it seems, between U.S., Russian and Ukrainian
officials.
Now, that is a departure, a development we think that is likely the first time that three nations have met together. That would suggest some kind of
at least protocol progress in these peace talks. Zelenskyy also said that the documents are close to ready at this stage didn't give much away about
his near hour-long discussion with President Trump here on the sidelines of this.
But clearly, he wants to keep the suggestion progress is somehow alive. All eyes on Steve Witkoff's visit to Moscow in the coming hours. He was clear
earlier in Davos that one key issue remains, but it's not a 10 percent tiny thing. It's about territory, which the entire invasion of Ukraine has
indeed been about.
So, it's a huge problem there. But I think the idea of trilateral talks in the coming days in the Emirates, and the fact that Zelenskyy essentially
gave a plea to Europe to do more here that was very much similar to things you might hear U.S. President Donald Trump, or indeed his Vice President,
JD Vance say, was perhaps designed to simultaneously curry favor with the United States and try and stir Europeans into greater, more strident
action, Becky.
ANDERSON: It's good to have you, Nick. I'm going to leave it there for the time being. I'm going to have you back at the top of the hour, and we get
back to "Connect the World" our second hour. I just need to get some sport in for our viewers as well. So, I'm going to do that.
"World Sport" with Patrick Snell is folks up after this short break. More "Connect the World" as I say, in 15 minutes time.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[09:45:00]
(WORLD SPORT)
[10:00:00]
END
