Davos Peace Summit 2026: Trump’s Global Board Launch & Zelenskyy Confirms U.S.-Russia-Ukraine Talks

President Trump signed the founding charter of his Global Board of Peace in Davos, Switzerland, during the 2026 World Economic Forum, though major U.S. allies were absent. He outlined limited details but emphasized cooperation with the United Nations to stabilize the Middle East, signaling ambitions beyond Gaza.

The Board of Peace, first announced as part of Trump’s Gaza peace plan, is positioned as an international body chaired by the president to oversee reconstruction efforts in Palestinian territories and potentially expand into broader global mediation.

Following the signing, Trump met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who confirmed that U.S.-Russia-Ukraine negotiations will take place in the United Arab Emirates this week. This marks the first trilateral meeting since the war began, raising hopes for progress despite unresolved territorial disputes.

The Davos forum, typically dominated by economic discussions, was overshadowed by Trump’s Greenland acquisition push and tariff threats against Europe. However, he later suspended the tariffs and announced a “framework” deal on Greenland, shifting focus back to his peace initiatives.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stressed that the unresolved issue in ongoing U.S.-Russia-Ukraine peace talks remains Russia’s occupation of eastern Ukraine. He declared, “It’s all about the land,” underscoring that territorial sovereignty is the final hurdle to any agreement.

Trump’s senior envoy Steve Witkoff confirmed negotiations are narrowed to a single sticking point, though he avoided specifics. Zelenskyy clarified that the dispute centers on Russia’s control of eastern Ukrainian territory, which Kyiv refuses to legitimize.

Backed by NATO allies, Zelenskyy has consistently rejected any formal transfer of occupied land to Russia, warning that concessions would set a dangerous precedent for future Kremlin expansion. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte reinforced this stance, stating that while Russia may physically hold Ukrainian territory, “we can never accept that in a legal sense.”

This territorial impasse has repeatedly stalled White House-led peace efforts, highlighting that sovereignty and land rights remain the decisive barrier to ending the war.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that his team is working closely with President Trump’s negotiators “almost every day” to finalize a ceasefire agreement with Moscow. He acknowledged the talks are “not simple,” but expressed optimism that progress is being made.

Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Zelenskyy revealed that the documents designed to end the war are “nearly, nearly ready.” His remarks signal that while challenges remain, Kyiv and Washington are pushing toward a framework that could bring the conflict to a close.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced in Davos that representatives from Ukraine, Russia, and the United States will hold their first trilateral talks in the United Arab Emirates this week. Scheduled for Friday and Saturday, the meetings are expected to occur at the technical level, involving less senior officials but marking a significant diplomatic step.

While neither the White House nor Moscow has formally confirmed the talks, President Trump’s envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner were already in Moscow for discussions with Russian officials. Zelenskyy emphasized that this would be the first trilateral meeting in the Emirates, expressing cautious optimism about the process.

Trump previously suggested that such talks would happen “at the right time.” Zelenskyy underscored that any eventual peace deal must include security guarantees for Ukraine, backed by U.S. power. He noted that while the U.K. and France are prepared to commit forces on the ground, the ultimate guarantee must come from Washington, with Trump’s leadership serving as the backstop.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy acknowledged progress in the U.S.-led negotiations with both Kyiv and Moscow but cautioned that the “last mile” of the peace process will be difficult. Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, he stressed that while dialogue continues, Ukraine remains under Russian attack and must keep defending itself.

U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff noted earlier that only one issue remains unresolved, though he did not specify what it was. Zelenskyy hinted that the separate tracks of U.S.-Ukraine and U.S.-Russia talks will eventually need to merge into a unified negotiation process.

Referring to Russian President Vladimir Putin, Zelenskyy remarked, “Nobody knows what is in his head,” underscoring the uncertainty surrounding Moscow’s intentions. Despite the challenges, he emphasized that dialogue is better than no dialogue, even as the conflict persists.

President Trump announced that his administration has reached the framework of an “ultimate long-term deal” on Greenland, aimed at resolving tensions with Europe. He emphasized that U.S. military intervention would not be used to seize control of the territory, instead highlighting cooperation with NATO allies.

Following a meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, Trump said they had agreed on the framework of a future deal. Rutte confirmed that the plan would require NATO to strengthen Arctic security, though Greenland’s mineral resources were not part of the discussion.

A NATO spokesperson described the meeting as “very productive,” noting that the framework would focus on collective allied efforts to secure the Arctic. Negotiations between the U.S., Denmark, and Greenland are expected to continue, with the goal of preventing Russia or China from gaining military or economic influence in the region.

U.K. Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper added that the framework could include a new NATO “Arctic Sentry” security partnership, reinforcing allied presence in the region. Trump later told Fox Business that the agreement would provide “total access” to Greenland, stressing that it would have no time limit.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy described his Thursday meeting with President Trump at the World Economic Forum in Davos as “productive and substantive.” He emphasized that their teams are in near-daily communication, working to advance negotiations and strengthen cooperation.

Zelenskyy confirmed that discussions focused heavily on Ukraine’s air defense systems, noting that previous talks with Trump had already helped reinforce protection of Ukrainian skies. He expressed hope that this latest meeting would further bolster Ukraine’s defenses against ongoing Russian attacks.

He also thanked Trump for the earlier package of air defense missiles and formally requested an additional supply, underscoring the importance of continued U.S. military support in Ukraine’s fight for sovereignty.

President Trump described his meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Davos as “good” and reiterated his call for Russia’s war on Kyiv to end. Speaking to reporters, Trump emphasized, “This war has to end,” framing the conflict as a priority in ongoing diplomatic efforts.

Trump’s remarks came ahead of a scheduled meeting between his envoy and Russian officials in Moscow later the same day. He noted that discussions with Zelenskyy were constructive, adding, “We’ll see how it turns out,” signaling cautious optimism about the next phase of negotiations.

President Trump’s launch of the Global Board of Peace in Davos signals his ambition to position the U.S. as a central broker in Middle East stability and broader global diplomacy. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s confirmation of upcoming U.S.-Russia-Ukraine trilateral talks in the UAE highlights a critical step toward ending the war, though territorial disputes remain the toughest obstacle.

The Greenland framework deal with NATO allies underscores Trump’s parallel focus on Arctic security, aiming to block Russian and Chinese influence in the region. Meanwhile, Zelenskyy continues to push for U.S.-backed security guarantees, stressing that no peace agreement will hold without Washington’s commitment.

Together, these developments show Davos 2026 as a turning point: Trump is leveraging diplomacy to expand U.S. influence, while Zelenskyy insists that sovereignty and air defense remain non-negotiable in Ukraine’s path to peace.