DAVOS, Switzerland — This week, President Donald Trump’s assertions regarding the annexation of Greenland and the threat of punitive tariffs on European nations that oppose him are poised to take center stage at the annual World Economic Forum.
While his aspirations to gain control over the mineral-rich Arctic island have shifted some focus away from Russia’s extensive invasion of Ukraine, the ongoing conflict and its economic repercussions will still prominently occupy discussions among global leaders.
“Europe was apprehensive when Trump was elected. Now, that anxiety has intensified, largely due to Greenland,” a former U.S. diplomat told The Moscow Times, preferring to remain anonymous.
Trump is attending this year’s forum in person, having participated virtually last year, shortly after his inauguration. He is scheduled to speak at the forum on Wednesday afternoon.
“What Trump does will be the headline news,” the diplomat remarked.
As the first full day of activities commenced in Davos on Tuesday, Trump shared messages from French President Emmanuel Macron and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte on Truth Social, suggesting that European leaders are eager to discuss Greenland with him during the event.
A substantial U.S. delegation is anticipated to accompany Trump to the Swiss town, including special envoy Steve Witkoff and his son-in-law Jared Kushner, both of whom play significant roles in administration efforts to engage Moscow in negotiations aimed at resolving the conflict in Ukraine.
Furthermore, the U.S. president mentioned the possibility of meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Davos.
Zelensky has indicated he might forgo attending the World Economic Forum to respond to the aftermath of Russian attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, which have left many without heat or electricity in harsh winter conditions.
However, he stated he could make the journey if an agreement on “prosperity” with the U.S., providing approximately $800 billion in reconstruction funding, is ready for signing.
A Ukrainian delegation, including national security chief Rustem Umerov, Kyrylo Budanov, and David Arakhamia, recently returned from Miami, where they conferred with Witkoff, Kushner, U.S. Secretary of the Army Dan Driscoll, and White House staff member Josh Gruenbaum.
Reports suggest that discussions in Miami revolved around the prosperity agreement and security guarantees for Ukraine.
At Davos, Russian representation includes Kremlin envoy Kirill Dmitriev, who is expected to meet with Witkoff and Kushner, as per media accounts.
Russian presence at Davos has significantly diminished since 2022, when the World Economic Forum severed ties with Moscow following its invasion of Ukraine.
Prior to the conflict, Russian businessmen and oligarchs were well-known for hosting extravagant parties at the Alpine resort each year.
The former Russia House in Davos, which was transformed into the “Russia War Crimes House” in 2022, has now turned into the CNBC House this year.
Panels addressing the war remain part of the agenda.
On Wednesday, a session entitled “Can Russia Sustain a Wartime Economy” will include Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, Moldovan Prime Minister Alexandru Munteanu, and Romanian Foreign Minister Oana-Silvia Țoiu, moderated by Alexander Gabuev of the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center.
Nearby, Ukraine House Davos is hosting a discussion on “Europe’s Future Energy Powerhouse: From Destruction to Ukrainian Dominance” with Economy, Environment, and Agriculture Minister Oleksiy Sobolev, moderated by Lenna Koszarny, CEO of Kyiv-based private equity firm Horizon Capital.
BlackRock CEO Larry Fink and Swiss billionaire André Hoffmann will be leading a conference of global business leaders, which marks the first meeting since founder Klaus Schwab stepped down as chairman in 2025.
Trump has enlisted BlackRock, the world’s largest asset manager, to craft a recovery strategy for Ukraine, with additional details expected to surface in Davos, as reported by The New York Times.
