Davos 2026: Kyiv, EU allies seek clearer Ukraine commitment from Trump

Ukraine and its European Union partners are leveraging the World Economic Forum in Davos to seek more concrete security assurances from US President Donald Trump, as the conflict with Russia shows no sign of abating.

According to foreign media reports, Ukrainian officials and EU leaders want clarity on Washington’s long-term support, particularly if peace talks with Moscow move forward, against the backdrop of continued Russian attacks and mounting casualties on both sides.

Only days before the Davos meetings, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy underscored the human cost of the conflict, claiming that Russia has been losing at least 1,000 soldiers killed every day since December.

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“Right now, Russian losses amount to no less than 1,000 killed per day and this has been the case since December. This is how Russia is essentially paying just to keep the war from ending. This is madness and it can only be stopped by combined forces the forces of Europe and the United States, the forces of all our partners,” Zelenskyy said.

He described the continuation of the war as a failure of the global community to stop aggressive regimes, urging stronger coordination among Ukraine’s allies to bring the fighting to an end.

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Russian strike on Kyiv raises urgency

The renewed diplomatic push follows a major Russian attack on Ukraine’s capital Kyiv, which killed at least two people and injured several others. The assault has reinforced Kyiv’s argument that any peace process must be backed by firm security guarantees, rather than vague assurances.

European leaders are expected to echo this message at Davos, stressing that Ukraine’s defence and broader European security hinge on sustained US involvement.

Trump signals optimism on peace talks

Trump, who has positioned himself as a potential dealmaker in the conflict, said last month that negotiations between Russia and Ukraine were approaching a decisive stage. He made the remarks while welcoming Zelenskyy for talks at his Mar a Lago residence in Florida.

“…We’re in the final stages of talking. We’re going to see. Otherwise, it’s going to go on for a long time. It’ll either end, or it’s going to go on for a long time, and millions of additional people are going to be killed, and nobody wants that,” Trump said.

Asked whether he believed Russian President Vladimir Putin was serious about peace, Trump responded, “I do.” Before meeting Zelenskyy, Trump also held a one hour and 15 minute phone call with Putin, which he later described as “very productive.”

“Yes, I do believe that Russian President Vladimir Putin is serious about peace this time. I think he is. I think they both are... They have to make a deal... Too many people died, and both Presidents want to make a deal,” Trump said.

Trump added that the outlines of a possible agreement were already emerging. “I do believe that we have the makings of a deal. It’s good for Ukraine, good for everybody. There is nothing more important. I settled eight wars this is the most difficult one. We are going to get it done. We are going to have a great meeting today,” he said.

Also Read: Latest in Ukraine Peace Talks: After Trump-Zelenskyy meet, POTUS concludes 'positive call' with Putin

Davos diplomacy amid global uncertainty

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022 marked the largest conflict in Europe since World War II, reshaping global geopolitics and prompting sweeping sanctions alongside sustained US involvement.

This year’s World Economic Forum meeting in the Swiss Alpine town comes at a moment of deep global uncertainty, with Trump leading the largest ever US delegation to Davos. The team includes Secretary of State Marco Rubio, special envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump’s son in law Jared Kushner.

Trump is expected to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and G7 leaders including those from Germany, France, the UK, Italy and Canada on the sidelines of the summit, as Kyiv seeks explicit US backing for post war security guarantees.