Davos Summit Ends as Trump Pushes Fresh Ukraine Peace Effort and Unveils ‘Board of Peace’ Initiative
DAVOS, Switzerland — The annual World Economic Forum in Davos closed Thursday with U.S. President Donald Trump placing renewed focus on the nearly four-year-long Russia-Ukraine war, unveiling a controversial new diplomatic effort, and calling for accelerated negotiations to end the conflict.
Trump used the final hours of the summit to launch what he described as a global “Board of Peace,” a new international body aimed at conflict resolution with an initial focus on the Gaza war and potential extension to other high-profile conflicts, including Ukraine. The initiative, which carries a reported $1 billion membership model, drew a mixed reception from world leaders, with few major Western allies participating in the launch ceremony.
In a brief statement to the press before departing Davos, Trump reiterated that the war in Ukraine “has to end” and claimed diplomatic progress is being made. He said discussions with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy were “good” and that talks with Russian leadership were expected to follow soon, though he acknowledged negotiations remain fraught and complex.
Zelenskyy, who attended the forum and took part in discussions on the sidelines, urged European partners to increase their role in confronting Russian aggression, criticizing what he described as a slow and disjointed response. While stressing the urgency of unity among Western allies, Zelenskyy expressed cautious optimism about upcoming trilateral meetings scheduled in the United Arab Emirates, where security guarantees and possible frameworks for ending hostilities are expected to be discussed.
The establishment of the Board of Peace has prompted debate among analysts, with some questioning its membership and mandate given the absence of several key U.S. allies during its unveiling. Nevertheless, the board represents Trump’s broader strategy to reframe diplomatic engagement outside traditional multilateral institutions.
As world leaders depart the Swiss Alps, the immediate focus shifts to how Washington, Kyiv, and Moscow will approach the next phase of peace negotiations, with Trump affirming that ending the Ukraine war remains a central objective of U.S. foreign policy in 2026.
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