Dense negotiations, objections, rifts but also tension de-escalation composed the puzzle of the World Economic Forum in Davos with the American president laying his cards on the table and presenting his plans. His agenda extends from the Arctic to the Middle East, with Europe watching developments while cohesion and functionality remain challenging concepts.
The diplomatic thriller at the start of contacts in Davos, with low barometric pressure being detected before the American president even set foot in Switzerland, escalated when Donald Trump spoke once again about annexing Greenland with clear intent, emphasizing the provision of defensive protection. However, the major issue of tariffs that Trump announced for EU countries seemed to take a different turn, as while Europe remains opposed to the annexation, the issue of punitive trade measures between the two continents appears to be on ice. Trump may have realized that Europe is using its commercial arsenal as a weapon in the pressure campaign and changed his plans.
Under different circumstances, and if geopolitical challenges weren’t so apparent with the US and French leaders not clashing so fiercely, with the latter addressing Trump and speaking of bullies, international media would have focused on Trump’s one-year governance assessment. However, many issues arose with the Ukrainian conflict and war resolution not taking a back seat. Special significance was also given to Gaza’s future, with Trump’s shrewd and close associate Jared Kushner presenting an ambitious three-year plan to build everything from cultural spaces to skyscrapers in Gaza.
It’s worth noting that the Gaza Peace Council has proven to be a hot potato for US-EU relations, with Trump inviting 60 countries to participate, major European countries accusing him of attempting to sideline the UN and replace it, while concerns are raised regarding international law principles.
Davos: The Gaza Peace Council
“Just calm down for 30 days,” Jared Kushner emphasized pointedly. “I think the war is over, let’s do our best to cooperate, our goal here is peace between Israel and the Palestinian people,” he added, leaving barbs for those who have expressed objections to these specific plans. Trump signed the Peace Council charter after completing his speech in Davos, calling representatives from Bahrain and Morocco to the stage to “put the Peace Council into full effect.”
The organization’s founding members, including Argentina’s Javier Milei and Hungary’s Viktor Orban, sat beside Trump, who praised his administration’s achievements in peace. The US president stated that the organization could be “one of the most important” and proposed cooperation with the United Nations. The audience also viewed a presentation titled “New Gaza” by Trump’s advisor, showing futuristic high-rise buildings by the sea in the current Gaza Strip. Trump closed the ceremony describing himself as a “real real estate guy.”
The Republican team sends the message that the war is over and that within about three years there can be a sustainable situation for millions of residents. However, questions remain about how the new administrative scheme will function and what “red lines” the Peace Council will establish. Impressively, high-rise buildings resembling modern Western cities were shown in images for Gaza reconstruction plans, referencing previous months’ statements about a Middle Eastern riviera, with Trump having invited about 60 countries to participate and so far 35 having declared intention to participate.
“Just calm down for 30 days,” Jared Kushner emphasized pointedly. “I think the war is over, let’s do our best to cooperate, our goal here is peace between Israel and the Palestinian people,” he added, leaving barbs for those who have expressed objections to these specific plans.
Progress on Ukraine
On the Ukrainian front, the meeting between US President Donald Trump and his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky took place in a warm atmosphere, lasting about an hour in Davos on Friday afternoon. The focus was on a “prosperity agreement” between Kiev and Washington for post-war Ukraine.
Donald Trump appeared before cameras after his meeting with Volodymyr Zelensky in Davos, which lasted one hour according to the president’s team. He stated that talks with the Ukrainian president were “good.”
When asked if there’s a possibility of reaching an agreement today, he responded that “we’ll have to see what happens.”
Subsequently, Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff traveled to Moscow to meet with Vladimir Putin.
