KYIV, Ukraine (AP) – On a recent Wednesday, approximately 4,000 buildings in Kyiv were reported to be without heat, and nearly 60% of the Ukrainian capital was experiencing power outages. This crisis was attributed to ongoing bombardments by Russian forces targeting Ukraine's power grid, as confirmed by Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The situation is particularly dire as temperatures in Kyiv have plummeted to as low as minus 20 degrees Celsius (minus 4 degrees Fahrenheit), marking one of the coldest winters in years and exacerbating the hardships faced by Ukrainians nearly four years after Russia's full-scale invasion began.
Simultaneously, U.S. President Donald Trump was preparing to meet with Zelenskyy for discussions aimed at addressing the ongoing conflict. Trump's representatives were also scheduled to hold talks in Moscow with Russian President Vladimir Putin later that week. Despite a year-long initiative by the Trump administration to mediate peace and stop the fighting, no significant breakthroughs had been made, leading to the continuation of diplomatic efforts.
During the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Trump expressed his desire to see an end to the conflict, labeling it a "horrible war." U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff indicated plans to discuss peace proposals with Putin and engage with a Ukrainian delegation. Witkoff emphasized the necessity of achieving peace, stating, "We need a peace." Furthermore, Putin confirmed that Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, were expected in Moscow for discussions regarding the potential use of Russian assets frozen in the U.S. for the rebuilding of war-damaged areas after a peace agreement is established.
Amid these diplomatic endeavors, significant attention was directed towards restoring power in Ukraine. Zelenskyy had previously indicated that his envoys would work to finalize agreements with U.S. officials related to postwar security guarantees and economic recovery. However, he later announced that he would not be attending the conference in Davos, choosing instead to focus on steps to restore power in his country.
In response to the ongoing energy crisis, the Ukrainian Cabinet of Ministers announced the allocation of 2.56 billion hryvnias (almost $60 million) to procure generators, according to Prime Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko. Meanwhile, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte urged the alliance's military leaders to persuade their governments to supply critical air defense systems to Ukraine. Rutte called for an immediate assessment of stockpiles to provide further support to Ukraine, especially in terms of air defense capabilities.
In conjunction with these developments, the Ukrainian air force noted that Russia launched 97 drones and a ballistic missile against Ukraine overnight, leading to fatalities in the Dnipropetrovsk region, where two elderly individuals lost their lives. Additionally, Russia claimed that its air defenses had successfully intercepted 75 Ukrainian drones across multiple regions. Incidents of drone activity also affected civilian life, with several international airports in southern Russia temporarily suspending operations due to the aerial threats.
As the situation continues to evolve, discussions of Ukraine’s defense appear to be sidelined at the World Economic Forum, overshadowed by other global issues, including a dispute over Greenland's future. While the urgency of the conflict remains pressing, both the international community and Ukrainian officials are striving to prioritize the restoration of services and peace negotiations amidst ongoing hostilities.
