Diplomatic engagements at the World Economic Forum in Davos are highlighting a clear focus: any pathway toward ending the war in Ukraine is being negotiated alongside the question of enforceable security guarantees.
President Donald Trump has announced a proposed “Board of Peace”, described as a new international oversight mechanism meant to support mediation and sustain a settlement.
The initiative has drawn criticism in some quarters, and reports note that several key US allies were absent from the charter-signing ceremony, underscoring that differences remain.
On the negotiating track, sources describe a US-led “20-point plan” that is said to be close to completion.
The approach links territorial questions with security arrangements, and discussions include an idea to create a demilitarised and free economic zone in the Donbas region as part of a broader compromise formula to address disputes over land and control.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky has framed the core problem as fundamentally territorial, stressing that “it’s all about the land”. At the same time, he has insisted that no security guarantees will be credible without US participation, positioning an American backstop as indispensable to any lasting peace deal.
The sources also emphasise the practical dimension of security: Ukraine’s reliance on US military technology, particularly advanced air defence needed against ballistic missile threats.
Even where European partners assist through purchases, the ability to produce and deliver remains dependent on the United States.
In parallel, reports point to European efforts to assemble a “Coalition of the Willing”, led by the UK and France, to monitor a potential agreement with ground forces.
Zelensky, however, has argued that European commitments are insufficient without a formal US security arrangement, citing internal divisions and a lack of political will among some allies.
Diplomatically, American envoys have expressed optimism about further talks and have floated the prospect of a higher-level trilateral meeting in the United Arab Emirates to resolve remaining thorny issues.
The picture presented is one of intensive shuttle diplomacy aimed at narrowing gaps between positions.
Yet the sources draw a sharp contrast between diplomatic momentum and the immediate realities on the ground.
They describe continued Russian missile strikes on civilian infrastructure, leaving millions in Kyiv without heat or water during winter and deepening humanitarian pressure.
Overall, the reporting depicts a complex landscape in which a land-for-security framework is being explored, while Ukraine’s urgent demand for clear, enforceable guarantees and advanced air defence support remains closely tied to the role of the United States.
