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zelensky cancels Davos Trip as Russian Strikes Cripple ukraine’s Energy Grid
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Amidst escalating attacks on critical infrastructure, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky chose to remain in Kyiv this week, foregoing his planned appearance at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. The decision came as Russian strikes left tens of thousands of Ukrainians without heat in the depths of winter, underscoring the immediate and pressing needs within the war-torn nation.
Zelensky unequivocally stated his priorities, explaining, “Undoubtedly, I choose Ukraine in this case, rather than the economic forum.” His commitment to remaining in the capital reflects the severity of the situation on the ground, as the country battles widespread power outages and disruptions to essential services.
Russia’s Winter Offensive Targets ukrainian Infrastructure
The latest wave of attacks has resulted in “large-scale brownouts” across Kyiv and other major cities, targeting substations and facilities connected to nuclear power plants. According to the Ukrainian president, over 5,600 apartment buildings in Kyiv alone are currently without heat. The strikes are a clear demonstration of Russia’s strategy to weaponize winter,exacerbating the hardships faced by Ukrainian civilians.
A recent social media post from President Zelensky highlighted the scale of the crisis: “In the capital alone, more than 5,600 apartment buildings are without heat following the Russian strike.”
The situation was narrowly averted from becoming even more dire, thanks to timely deliveries of US-made air defense systems. “Had the deliveries been delayed even by one more day, the consequences of the strike woudl have been much more severe,” Zelensky noted, emphasizing the critical importance of continued international support.
Davos Delegation Continues Diplomatic Efforts
Despite Zelensky’s absence, Ukraine maintained a strong presence at the World Economic Forum. A senior delegation, including National Security Council Secretary rustem Umerov, presidential office head kyrylo Budanov, and parliamentary leader Davyd Arakhamia, engaged in meetings with top advisors from France, Germany, and the United kingdom. These discussions focused on securing further assistance and bolstering international cooperation.
Zelensky underscored that any future participation in events like the Davos forum must yield tangible outcomes. “Meetings with America shoudl always end with concrete results to strengthen Ukraine or to move closer to ending the war,” he stated, signaling a demand for more than just symbolic gestures of support. He specifically called for increased provision of air defense systems to protect both civilians and critical infrastructure.
Trump’s Controversial Invitation to Putin
The situation in Ukraine unfolded alongside developments at the World Economic Forum involving former US President Donald Trump. Trump is reportedly hosting an event for his newly announced Gaza Board of Peace and extended an invitation to Russian President Vladimir Putin – a direct adversary of Zelensky – to join the board. This move has raised eyebrows and sparked debate regarding the potential implications for international diplomacy and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
A worker with the NGO World Central Kitchen is seen distributing hot food to residents in Kyiv. Image of worker distributing food
The ongoing crisis underscores the urgent need for sustained international commitment to Ukraine’s defense and recovery. As Russia continues its relentless attacks, the
