Trump Tells Putin ‘War Must End’ Amid Peace Push at Davos/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ President Trump told reporters the war in Ukraine “has to end” following a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the World Economic Forum in Davos. Despite no signed agreements, U.S. officials remain optimistic as peace negotiations intensify. U.S. envoys are now heading to Moscow for direct talks with Putin.
Ukraine Peace Talks Quick Looks
- Trump and Zelenskyy met for about an hour at Davos.
- Trump: “The war has to end,” referring to message for Putin.
- U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff says progress is being made.
- Witkoff and Jared Kushner to meet Putin in Moscow Thursday night.
- Ukraine bonds rose amid diplomatic optimism.
- Zelenskyy seeks U.S. security and post-war reconstruction guarantees.
- Russia maintains airstrikes in Odesa, Kryvyi Rih, and Kyiv.
- Kremlin open to discussing settlement, asset use, and Trump’s Board of Peace.
- Critics fear Trump’s peace board may undermine the UN.
- Military-to-military talks and economic aid discussions to follow in Abu Dhabi.
Deep Look: Trump Pressures Putin to End Ukraine War After Meeting With Zelenskyy at Davos
DAVOS, Switzerland — President Donald Trump on Thursday declared that his message to Russian President Vladimir Putin was clear:
“The war has to end.” His remarks came shortly after what he described as a “good” one-hour meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the World Economic Forum in Davos.
The closed-door conversation marked the latest chapter in a high-stakes diplomatic effort to resolve the nearly four-year-old war in Ukraine—an effort that has seen intensified shuttle diplomacy from U.S. officials in recent weeks.
Though no formal agreements were announced, U.S. and Ukrainian officials suggested that the tone was constructive and that negotiations are progressing. Trump later told reporters, “It’s an ongoing process,” as his envoys prepared for a critical round of direct talks with Putin in Moscow.
U.S. Envoys to Moscow After Davos
Steve Witkoff, U.S. envoy for Ukraine, will be joined by Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law and a key diplomatic adviser, for Thursday night’s meeting with Putin. According to the Kremlin, the talks are scheduled for 7–8 p.m. Moscow time.
Following Moscow, the team will head to Abu Dhabi for military-to-military discussions and to present what officials are calling a “prosperity package” — an outline for Ukraine’s post-war reconstruction and regional stability.
“We’ve made a lot of progress,” Witkoff said during a panel session in Davos. “If both sides want to solve this, we’re going to get it solved.”
Zelenskyy Presses for U.S. Guarantees
Zelenskyy had made clear that he would only attend Davos if meaningful agreements could be signed, including U.S. security assurances and financial commitments for rebuilding Ukraine. While no such documents emerged, his meeting with Trump signals ongoing momentum.
The two leaders have now met approximately six times since Trump returned to the White House last year and reoriented U.S. policy toward direct diplomacy with Russia. The shift has drawn criticism from some foreign policy experts but has also opened new diplomatic channels.
Zelenskyy, facing an ongoing energy crisis caused by Russian missile and drone attacks, was expected to deliver a post-meeting speech outlining Ukraine’s needs and position.
Russia Remains Hostile Despite Diplomacy
As diplomacy unfolded in Davos, Russia continued military strikes across Ukraine. A drone attack in Odesa killed a 17-year-old boy on Thursday, while a ballistic missile in Kryvyi Rih wounded at least 11 civilians, according to local authorities.
In the capital, Kyiv, roughly 3,000 apartment buildings remained without heat following this week’s Russian bombardments, underlining the ongoing humanitarian crisis.
Despite these attacks, Putin has signaled a willingness to discuss terms, including potential use of frozen Russian assets for reconstruction in territories currently under Moscow’s control.
The Kremlin also confirmed it would review Trump’s proposed Board of Peace, an international body designed to mediate global conflicts. Some observers have criticized the initiative, calling it an attempt to sideline the United Nations.
Markets React to Peace Prospects
Financial markets responded positively to the day’s developments. Ukraine’s international bonds rallied more than 2 cents, reflecting growing investor optimism that an eventual settlement might emerge from the latest diplomatic push.
Despite these signs of progress, observers caution that significant hurdles remain, particularly Russia’s demand that Ukraine cede parts of Donetsk, a condition Kyiv has repeatedly rejected.
What Comes Next?
After Thursday night’s meeting in Moscow, Witkoff and Kushner are expected to present any Russian counterproposals to both Trump and Zelenskyy. A trilateral framework involving the U.S., Ukraine, and Russia may then begin to take shape in Abu Dhabi, with both security and economic plans on the table.
The world now watches closely as a potentially historic round of negotiations unfolds—one that could finally bring an end to Europe’s deadliest conflict since World War II.
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