Davos: Zelensky proposed trying Putin in New York

President of Ukraine Vladimir Zelensky stated from Davosthat the process of preparing documents aimed at ending the war in Ukrainewent to “final straight” after his meeting with US President Donald Trump, and suggested put Putin on trial in New York.

According to Zelensky, consultations have entered an advanced stage: he emphasized that Russia must make concessions, and also reiterated the demand that Vladimir Putinin his estimation, should have been tried in New York by analogy with Nicolas Maduro.

Zelensky wants putin to be on trial in USA pic.twitter.com/lzfiWhz7HS

— Dhruv Mishra (@DhruvMishra1607) January 22, 2026

Zelensky wants Putin to be tried in the United States.

Trilateral meeting in the UAE

As Zelensky noted, the first in this format is planned in the coming days (tomorrow and the day after tomorrow, according to Sky News). tripartite meeting technical teams USA, Ukraine And Russia V United Arab Emiratesto finalize the final details. Zelensky also drew attention to the fact that a significant part of international attention is now switched to Greenlandadding that many leaders “remain unclear on what to do,” and that he feels many are “waiting for America to calm down on this issue,” hoping the issue will “go away on its own.” Zelensky further mentioned Iransaying the protests there were “drowned in blood.” Linking example of detention Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro authorities USA with a dead end around UkraineZelensky said that while Maduro is in New York awaiting trial, Putin is not.

Defense of Europe and the “lesson of Greenland”

Speaking of protection EuropeZelensky noted that a number of countries have begun to invest more in security. “Europe must defend itself”he said, adding that many states did not meet their defense spending commitments (2.5%) until Trump pushed them to do so. “What message does this send to Putin, to China?” – Zelensky asked and continued, saying that sending 40 troops to protect Greenland will not change the situation. He claimed that Ukraine has the means to defend Greenland: “We know how to fight there” he said, adding: “We would solve the problem if we were in NATObut we are not in NATO.”

Zelensky brought Belarus as an example, noting that Russia was able to deploy missiles there due to the nature of the country’s governance. “Rockets are not for decoration”he emphasized. He added that Europe is now, in his words, in a similar position and is counting on someone else to solve the issue, while “the Russian military machine continues to work.” The Ukrainian President said that the teams USA And Ukraine work “almost daily” over an agreement that could lead to the end of hostilities. “Ukraine works with complete sincerity and determination, and it gives results”he said, adding that now “and Russia must prepare to end this war and stop this aggression”.

Zelensky wants putin to be on trial in USA pic.twitter.com/lzfiWhz7HS

— Dhruv Mishra (@DhruvMishra1607) January 22, 2026

“Russia must be ready to end this war.” Volodymyr Zelensky says a peace plan to end the war in Ukraine is “almost ready,” but adds that Russia needs to cooperate.

Zelensky recalled that previous contacts with the United States led to the supply of defensive missiles to Ukraine, and added that officials also discussed “defense of the sky”. He expressed the hope that USA will continue to support Ukraine, and called for a strong Europe, saying the continent needs an independent Ukraine that can one day defend other countries. “We are ready to be part of a Europe that really matters” – he emphasized. “Europe says nothing, America says almost nothing, and Putin is building missiles,” – Zelensky said in another fragment of the speech. He also mentioned that he “advise not to mention Tomahawk”explaining that such words can “spoil the atmosphere” negotiations with the USA. “Instead of becoming a truly global power, Europe remains a beautiful but fragmented kaleidoscope of small and medium powers,” Zelensky said. He added that President Trump ‘won’t change’.

Although Zelensky did not disclose the contents of the documents being prepared, his words that they “almost ready”indicate that the negotiations have moved from general statements to more specific proposals, with a central role Washington in mediation.

Trump: “We’ll settle another war soon”

Previously Donald Trump stated that “we now have peace in the Middle East”repeated the statement that he “settled eight wars” and added that “another one will be settled soon” – the one he “thought it was easy”but which turned out to be the most difficult, bearing in mind the war in Ukraine. Trump also said about 29,000 people, mostly military, died last month, calling it a “terrible” cost and adding that “we are making great progress” in peace negotiations.

Editorial comment

The idea of ​​”trial” Vladimir Putin V New York“sounds impressive, but legally and diplomatically this, to put it mildly, is not a plan of action, but media gesture. For a wide audience, such a statement is perceived as a simple and understandable slogan: “the culprit must be punished”. The problem is that in the real world of international law, slogans do not replace mechanisms.

To make such a scenario possible, specific tools are needed: recognized jurisdiction, procedure, execution of decisions, political consent of key players. And this is where the harsh part of reality begins: the trial of the leader of a state with nuclear potential and permanent member status UN Security Councilis not triggered by the power of rhetoric. This is not a question of “fairness in principle”, it is a question possibilities And political willand in conditions where law and geopolitics constantly step on each other’s toes.

Therefore, such formulations do not look like a position on the final line to negotiations, but as a continuation of work on emotion and mobilization. At the moment when it is publicly discussed “almost finished documents”applications for mandatory trial in New York turn into a signal not so much to Moscow as to their own audience and allies: “We don’t trade principles.” This is understandable politically, but dangerous with practical consequences.

The danger is simple: The higher the bar for public promises is raised, the less room there is for real compromises and the more difficult it is to “sell” to society later any result that does not resemble the unconditional surrender of the enemy. And in diplomacy, such maximalist statements often act as self-restraint: they tie the hands of those who should negotiate, and provide arguments for those who would prefer to negotiate “without any extra conditions”.

This is why there is a feeling that key in some places reminiscent of the previous genre Vladimir Zelensky popular comedian: bright, memorable, well-quoted. But war and negotiations require different tools: fewer stage comparisons and more specifics, because in the end what is important is not applause, but working solutions.

Source link