On January 21, Valerii Klochuk, head of the Center for Civic Analytics Veza, and political analyst Petro Oleshchuk discussed the outcomes of the Davos Forum and major international political processes. A key focus was President Volodymyr Zelensky's decision not to attend Davos, which Oleshchuk attributed to both domestic issues tied to Russian attacks and a desire to avoid being drawn into U.S.-EU tensions.
Particular attention was paid to the unofficial preparation of a Ukraine-U.S. agreement on postwar reconstruction. However, the signing was postponed for unclear reasons. Experts note Ukraine's diplomatic caution and potential U.S. manipulation, especially involving Donald Trump.
Ukrainian delegate Kyrylo Budanov addressed the Forum, expressing cautious optimism about ongoing negotiations and stating that while China has not supplied weapons to Russia, it has profited significantly from cheap Russian resources. The experts analyzed China’s growing global role and trade ties with Russia and noted Ukraine’s need for European support in engaging with China.
The discussion also covered the "Peace Council" initiative proposed by Trump as an alternative to the UN, with participation from Russia and Belarus. France, the UK, and others categorically declined involvement, citing risks to diplomatic legitimacy. The increased U.S. influence over global energy flows and efforts to control oil markets were also examined.
Analysts conclude that in the modern world, all key players act according to their own interests, forcing Ukraine to maneuver carefully to maintain its sovereignty and security.
