Zelenskyi meets with Trump, makes a speech at Davos. France’s navy intercepts an oil tanker in the Mediterranean sailing from Russia. Russia launches missiles and drones at targets in Dnipro region. Russia launches missiles and drones at targets in Dnipro region.
Zelenskyi meets with Trump, makes speech at Davos
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyi arrived at the World Economic Forum in Davos on Thursday where he met with U.S. President Donald Trump.
The meeting lasted around an hour. Spokesperson for the Ukrainian President, Serhiy Nykyforov, said the leaders had a brief one-on-one conversation after the formal part concluded.
On his way out, Trump told reporters that “the meeting was good with President Zelenskyi, we still have a ways to go.”
After the meeting, Zelenskyi made a speech at Davos. He criticized European leaders in his address for not standing up to Russian leader Vladimir putin.
“President Trump led an operation in Venezuela and Maduro was arrested and there were different opinions about it, but the fact remains Maduro is on trial in New York. Sorry, but Putin is not on trial. And this is the fourth year of the biggest war in Europe since World War II. And the man who started it is not only free, he is still fighting for his frozen money in Europe. And you know what? He is having some success,” Zelenskyi said.
He also criticized a lack of progress on establishing a special tribunal for Russian aggression against Ukraine.
“We have an agreement – it’s true. Many meetings have taken place. But still, Europe hasn’t reached even the point of having a home for the Tribunal – with staff and actual work happening inside. What’s missing – time or political will? Too often in Europe, something else is always more urgent than justice,” he said.
He also pointed to the recent seizures of Russian oil tankers and encouraged further action be taken to apprehend Russian-flagged vessels in international waters.
“Europe loves to discuss the future but avoids taking action today – action that defines what kind of future we will have. That is the problem. Why can President Trump stop tankers from the shadow fleet and seize oil – but Europe doesn’t? Russian oil is being transported right along European shores. That oil funds the war against Ukraine. That oil helps destabilize Europe. So Russian oil must be stopped and confiscated and sold for Europe’s benefit. Why not? If Putin has no money, there’s no war for Europe,” he said.
Zelenskyi would also participate in a panel session of the International Advisory Council for Ukraine’s Recovery and meet with representatives of energy companies and Swiss President Guy Parmelin.
The 56th Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum convenes in Davos on January 19-23.
France’s navy intercepts an oil tanker in the Mediterranean sailing from Russia
France’s navy, working with intelligence provided by the United Kingdom, on Thursday intercepted an oil tanker in the Mediterranean Sea that traveled from Russia, in a mission targeting the sanctioned Russian shadow fleet, officials said, according to AFP.
“This morning, the French Navy boarded an oil tanker coming from Russia, subject to international sanctions and suspected of flying a false flag,” French President Emmanuel Macron said on X Thursday.
“The operation was conducted on the high seas in the Mediterranean, with the support of several of our allies,” he said.
A judicial investigation has been opened, and the vessel has been diverted, he added.
“We are determined to uphold international law and to ensure the effective enforcement of sanctions,” Macron said, adding “The activities of the ‘shadow fleet’ contribute to financing the war of aggression against Ukraine.”
Russia launches missiles and drones at targets in Dnipro region
Russia carried out a drone and missile attack on the city of Kryvyi Rih that lasted all day on Thursday, head of the city’s defense council, Oleksandr Vilkul said on Telegram. The strikes targeted apartment buildings and critical infrastructure facilities. Thirteen people were injured, including four children, Vilkul said.
A Russian drone attack on Dnipro on Thursday morning hit an apartment building and injured seven people, the city’s mayor Borys Filatov said on social media. Luckily, many residents of the building were at work when the strike happened, he said.
Emergency crews, police, municipal workers and charity organizations are working on the site.