Ukrainian Leader Prioritizes Domestic Crisis Over International Forum Attendance
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has announced he will likely cancel his planned attendance at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, choosing instead to remain in Kyiv to oversee the nation's response to devastating Russian air strikes. The attacks have left significant portions of the capital without essential services including heat and water, creating a dire humanitarian situation as temperatures plummet well below freezing.
Coordinating Emergency Response Takes Precedence
Zelenskyy emphasized that his immediate priority is coordinating emergency efforts to assist citizens affected by the infrastructure damage. "So far the plan is on how to help people with energy," the president stated in online audio comments to reporters. "I choose Ukraine and not the economic forum, but everything can change at any moment."
The Ukrainian leader indicated he might reconsider his travel plans if negotiators working on Western-backed security guarantees and a potential end to the four-year conflict produce an agreement ready for signing. "For me, it is important to end the war and the plan for prosperity and security guarantees are important," Zelenskyy explained.
Widespread Infrastructure Damage Across Kyiv
The capital city is reeling from a recent series of Russian drone and missile attacks that have caused extensive damage to critical infrastructure. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported that more than 5,000 high-rise residential buildings were left without heating following the barrage, while eastern districts of the city also lost water supply.
Zelenskyy described the scale of the attacks, noting that Russian forces employed "a significant number" of ballistic and cruise missiles along with approximately 300 attack drones in strikes across Ukraine. The president did note some positive developments, mentioning that Ukraine's military received a long-awaited shipment of air-defense missiles that "helped significantly" in responding to the attacks.
Regional Impact and International Response
The attacks extended beyond Kyiv, affecting central regions including Dnipro and Zaporizhzhia, as well as the western Rivne region. The situation prompted neighboring Poland to temporarily halt operations at two eastern airports in Lublin and Rzeszow as a precautionary measure.
Last week, Zelenskyy imposed a state of emergency on Ukraine's energy sector, with repair crews working around the clock to restore services. However, the frequency of Russian air raids in Kyiv has created a challenging environment for infrastructure recovery, leaving little time to restore disrupted power, water, or heating supplies before the next attack occurs.
Potential for Diplomatic Progress in Davos
Despite his current focus on domestic emergencies, Zelenskyy acknowledged the importance of international diplomatic efforts. U.S. and Ukrainian negotiators agreed to hold additional talks in Davos during meetings over the weekend, potentially creating an opportunity for progress on security guarantees and economic recovery plans.
"The last mile remains to complete these documents — if they are ready and there will be a meeting and a trip, if there are energy packages, or additional air defense packages, I will definitely go," Zelenskyy stated regarding potential Davos participation.
The president emphasized that his attendance at the international forum would depend on tangible outcomes that benefit Ukrainian citizens. "If meetings in Davos can provide greater protection for real people and real cities and villages in Ukraine, Ukraine will be in Davos," he declared.
As the situation continues to evolve, Zelenskyy's decision highlights the ongoing challenges facing Ukraine nearly four years into the conflict, with immediate humanitarian needs taking precedence over international diplomatic engagements despite their potential long-term importance.
