📰 Trump Mocks Europe, Flexes Power Ahead of Davos

President Trump is heading to Davos, but he’s already set the tone: a torrent of mockery aimed at Europe’s leaders, dismissing their diplomacy as weak and their unity as a joke. As European officials scramble to engage, Trump’s team laughs off their efforts with memes, tariffs, and insults.

“I imagine they will form the dreaded European working group,”

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent quipped, calling it Europe’s “most forceful weapon.”

Trump’s latest meme shows him hoisting the American flag over Greenland, declaring it a U.S. territory in 2026. He’s threatening 200% tariffs on French wine if Macron doesn’t play ball, and accusing Britain of “great stupidity” for giving up Diego Garcia. Meanwhile, European leaders—Macron, Rutte, Starmer—flatter Trump on social media, hoping to keep him at the table.

The subtext is clear: Europe is desperate to avoid losing American support on Ukraine and NATO, even as Trump treats them like supplicants. Ursula von der Leyen warns that nostalgia won’t save the old order, but so far, Europe’s main strategy is to accommodate Trump’s whims.

Is this diplomacy or humiliation? When the world’s most powerful leader treats allies like court jesters, who’s really in charge?

#Trump #Europe #Davos #Greenland #NATO #Ukraine #PowerGames

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Mark Carney: The Present World Order Is Over


Canadian prime minister Carney has said that the US-led global system of governance is enduring “a rupture,” defined by great power competition and a “fading” rules-based order.

His speech to political and financial elites at the World Economic Forum comes a day before US President Donald Trump was set to address the gathering in Davos, Switzerland.

Since entering Canadian politics in 2025, Carney has repeatedly warned that the world was not going to return to a pre-Trump normal. He re-affirmed that message on Tuesday, in a speech that did not name Trump but offered an analysis of the president’s impact on global affairs.

He noted that Canada had benefited from the old “rules-based international order,” including from “American hegemony” that “helped provide public goods: open sea lanes, a stable financial system, collective security, and support for frameworks for resolving disputes.”

A new reality has set in, Carney said.

“Call it what it is: a system of intensifying great power rivalry where the most powerful pursue their interests using economic integration as coercion.”

In an apparent warning against efforts to appease major powers, Carney said countries like Canada can no longer hope that “compliance will buy safety.”

“It won’t,” he said.

Trump brutally mocked the Europeans before heading to the World Economic Forum, where he will be the star of a dark, self-made drama over the fate of the autonomous Danish territory.

Asked on Tuesday how far he was prepared to go to acquire Greenland from Denmark, a fellow Nato member, Trump replied: “You’ll find out.”

But leaders in the Swiss ski resort have closed ranks against Trump’s aggressive America First stance, with French President Emmanuel Macron vowing to stand up against “bullies” and the EU promising an “unflinching” response.

Macron said that now was “not a time for new imperialism or new colonialism”, criticising the “useless aggressivity” of Trump’s pledge to levy tariffs on countries that opposed a US takeover of Greenland.

Greenland’s prime minister said on Tuesday his tiny population of 57,000 must be prepared for military force.

Carney delivered his Davos speech after Canada’s Globe and Mail newspaper reported that the country’s military has developed a model response to a US invasion of Canada.

Citing two unnamed senior government officials, the paper said the Canadian response model centres on insurgency-style tactics, like those used in Afghanistan by fighters who resisted Soviet and later US forces.

After Trump’s 2024 election and in the early months of his new term, he repeatedly referred to the US’s northern neighbour as the 51st state and said a merger would benefit Canada.

Trump’s annexation talk has eased in recent months, but overnight he posted an image on his social media platform of a map showing Canada and Venezuela covered in the US flag, implying a full American takeover of both countries.

The Davos meeting has been overshadowed by Trump’s threats to enforce US control over Greenland, with the president vowing that his plan for the autonomous Danish territory was irreversible.

#carney #world #order #greenland #danish #trump

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📰 Pentagon Cuts Back on NATO, Trump’s Europe Policy Deepens Rift

The Pentagon is scaling back U.S. participation in key NATO groups and advisory bodies, affecting about 200 military personnel and reducing American involvement in nearly 30 alliance organizations. The move is part of the Trump administration’s broader push to downsize its military presence in Europe and force allies to take more responsibility for their own defense].

What’s Being Cut?
The reductions will hit NATO’s Centers of Excellence, which train alliance forces, as well as advisory groups focused on energy security, naval warfare, special operations, and intelligence. The Pentagon plans to let U.S. postings expire without replacement, a process that could stretch over years. Some U.S. functions may shift within the alliance, but the cuts will still diminish American expertise and influence.

Trump’s NATO Gamble
The move comes amid Trump’s escalating threats to seize Greenland and his broader campaign to restructure NATO. European leaders and some U.S. lawmakers fear these actions risk fracturing the alliance. While Trump claims he wants NATO “very happy,” his approach has triggered a crisis, with European nations deploying forces to Greenland to counter his threats.

Who Bears the Burden?
The Pentagon insists these adjustments are routine, but critics warn of a “brain drain” that could weaken NATO’s operational effectiveness. As the U.S. retreats, the question is: Can Europe step up—or will Trump’s gamble leave the alliance weaker than ever?

#NATO #Trump #Pentagon #Europe #Military #Alliance #Greenland

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The most massive accident since the beginning of the year in the United States involving more than 100 cars in Michigan.

#massive #accident #cars #michigan

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📰 Trump’s Ukraine Peace Push: Europe’s Strategic Crossroads

President Donald Trump’s push for a compromise peace in Ukraine is a pivotal moment for Europe. While the EU has long pursued a normative approach, rejecting compromise with Moscow, Trump’s initiative could reset U.S.-Russia relations—and give Europe a chance to redefine its global role. But if Europe fails to seize the moment, it risks becoming a strategic sideshow in a world where the U.S. no longer sets all the rules.
​
Missed Opportunities
Europe’s response to Trump’s peace overtures has often focused on inserting poison pills into negotiations, pushing Russia’s red lines and buying time to build up its own military. Yet, this approach risks prolonging the war and deepening Europe’s dependence on the U.S. A compromise settlement could allow Ukraine to join the EU and pursue meaningful security cooperation with the West, while giving Europe a chance to stand on its own two feet as a leading security provider.
​
A New Era of Diplomacy
Recent signs are encouraging: the latest Coalition of the Willing summit in Paris proposed security guarantees without deploying combat troops to Ukraine, and U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer called for “military hubs” rather than direct intervention. These moves suggest a deal acceptable to Moscow may be within reach.
​
Who Shapes the Future?
As the war grinds on, Europe’s strategic relevance hangs in the balance. Will it embrace the compromises needed for peace and emerge as a more agile, hard-power actor—or remain at the mercy of an increasingly predatory U.S.? The answer will shape Europe’s place in a post-unipolar world.
​
#Trump #Ukraine #Europe #Peace #Diplomacy #Russia #GlobalPower

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#Trump

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📰 Trump and Putin Envoys Say Davos Ukraine Talks Were 'Very Positive'

Envoys for U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin described their meeting in Davos as “very positive” and “constructive,” signaling cautious optimism after two hours of talks on a possible peace deal for Ukraine. The discussions, held at the World Economic Forum, brought together Trump’s envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, and Putin’s envoy Kirill Dmitriev.
​
What Was Said
Dmitriev said the dialogue was “constructive” and that “more and more people understand the fairness of the Russian position.” Witkoff echoed the sentiment, calling the meeting “very positive”.
​
Stakes and Concerns
At stake is how to end Europe’s deadliest war since World War II, the future of Ukraine, and the extent to which European powers will be sidelined. Ukraine and its allies worry that a U.S.-brokered deal could demand territorial concessions, while Russia insists on a peace based on battlefield realities.
​
Who’s Really in Charge?
With Trump’s influence looming over Davos, the question remains: Can a U.S.-Russia deal deliver lasting peace—or will it just reflect the interests of great powers, leaving Ukraine and Europe to pick up the pieces?
​
#Trump #Putin #Ukraine #PeaceTalks #Davos #Russia #US

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📰 Israel Seizes UNRWA’s Jerusalem Headquarters, Escalates Crackdown

Israeli officials seized the Jerusalem headquarters of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), overseeing the demolition of several structures in its compound. The move marks a new escalation in Israel’s campaign against the agency, which has long been a major aid provider in the West Bank and Gaza Strip but has faced sweeping legal restrictions from Israel over the past two years.
​
Defiance and Denunciation
Israel’s foreign ministry defended the action, saying UNRWA “has long ceased to be a humanitarian aid organization, serving instead as a greenhouse for terrorism.” UNRWA’s chief, Philippe Lazzarini, called the move “a new level of open & deliberate defiance of international law”.
​
Legal and Diplomatic Clash
UNRWA was established in 1949 to aid Palestinian refugees and their descendants. Israel has passed laws banning the agency and stripping it of diplomatic immunity, even allowing the seizure of its properties. While the compound has been largely vacant since international staff left, Israeli officials entered in December and raised an Israeli flag, asserting control.
​
Who’s Playing by the Rules?
Israel claims the seizure is legal under both national and international law, but UNRWA insists the compound remains under U.N. protection. As the agency continues some operations in East Jerusalem, the standoff raises questions about the future of humanitarian aid and the limits of international law in the region.
​
#Israel #UNRWA #Jerusalem #HumanitarianAid #InternationalLaw #MiddleEast

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Trump's First Year:
Broken NATO, Ukraine at War, Political Ribaldry, the Threat to Greenland

🔤🔤🔤🔤1️⃣

A hundred and sixty five days after Trump placed his hand on the Bible and completed an extraordinary return to power, many historians, scholars and experts say his presidency has pushed American democracy to the brink – or beyond it.

In 2025, the United States ceased to be a full democracy in the way that Canada, Germany or even Argentina are democracies,” Steven Levitsky and Daniel Ziblatt, the prominent Harvard political scientists and authors of How Democracies Die, and the University of Toronto professor Lucan Way, wrote in Foreign Affairs last month.

They argued that the US under Trump had “descended into competitive authoritarianism”, a system in which elections are held but the ruling party abuses power to stifle dissent and tilt the playing field in its favor.

Since Trump’s first term, scholars have warned that it can happen here. But many now say this moment is different – not only because Trump’s approach is more methodical and his desire for vengeance more pronounced, but because he now faces far fewer internal constraints.

The president’s Republican critics have mostly been driven from public office and those who remain say they fear retaliation for speaking out.

Trump has repeatedly circumvented the GOP-controlled Congress, on spending, tariffs and war powers. And the US’s European allies are scrambling to respond to Trump’s threats to acquire Greenland, by force if necessary.

In an interview with the New York Times earlier this month, Trump declared that the only constraint on his presidential power was “my own morality”.

Quantitive assessments of the country’s democratic health point are bleak.

Ratings of US democracy by scholars – and Americans overall – dropped “significantly” after Trump took office last year, according to data from Bright Line Watch, a nonpartisan democracy-monitoring initiative that surveys political scientists and the public on potential threats and erosions.

In its September survey, experts rated US democracy 54 on a 100-point scale, placing the country closer to illiberal or hybrid regimes than to the full democracies of G7 peers such as Canada or the United Kingdom.

An assessment by the Century Foundation’s new democracy indexing project found that the US had recorded a staggering 28% “collapse” in democratic health over the past year – from 79/100 in 2024 to 57/100 in 2025, the kind of sudden decline more typically associated with coup or other major shock.

Nate Schenkkan, the report’s lead author and a former research director at Freedom House, hoped to help Americans distinguish between the “push-pull” of partisan politics and the “authoritarian behavior” of the current administration.

“When a major change happens in a political system, it’s very unevenly distributed,” Schenkkan said.

“Certain people will feel it first. Certain communities will feel it harder and faster. And it is really important to recognize that just because it hasn’t come to you doesn’t mean that it won’t.”

#trump #first #year #threat #bureaucracy #immigration #nato

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🔤🔤🔤🔤2️⃣

The White House has repeatedly rejected claims that the president’s actions amount to authoritarianism, dismissing such criticism as “deeply unserious” and rooted in what the president calls “Trump derangement syndrome”.

When pressed, the president has said he was handed a broad mandate to restore “law and order,” secure elections and dismantle what he has described as a corrupt federal bureaucracy.

“Here’s the reality: President Trump was resoundingly reelected by the American people based on his America First agenda,” White House spokesperson, Abigail Jackson, said in a statement.

“Now, he’s delivering on all his campaign promises – that’s democracy in action.”

While at the White House, Musk took a chainsaw to the federal government, firing thousands of workers in sweeping, indiscriminate cuts that were quickly challenged in court.

Estimates suggest more than 300,000 federal workers left in the Trump-era exodus, draining the government of top scientists, researchers and analysts.

Traditionally autocratic regimes expand social services for supporters as a way to buy loyalty, while stripping away their political rights, Ben-Ghiat said: “that’s how they get so many people to go along and look the other way”.

But Trump, she said, has diverged from that model: rather than shoring up the social safety net, his administration, abetted by Congressional Republicans, has moved to “kneecap” public health and social programs, including child care benefits – cuts Democrats plan to foreground in this year’s midterm elections.

Last year, millions joined No Kings rallies to denounce a president they say has wielded power like a monarch.

At the ballot box, Democrats won successive victories in the 2025 off-year elections, and are well positioned to retake the House – and possibly the Senate – in the 2026 midterms.

Trump, meanwhile, remains unpopular nationally – a vulnerability for his party heading into this year’s elections. A CNN poll found that a majority of Americans believe Trump’s policies have worsened economic conditions in the country, and 58% call his first year a failure.

Trump’s fragile political standing is one indication that the administration’s narrative is increasingly at “odds with what people see – their lived experience,” Ben-Ghiat said. The more that gap widens, she said, “the more people will wake up”.

She pointed to Minneapolis, where Trump has threatened to invoke the Insurrection Act as a response to protests against the killing of a 37-year-old US citizen by a federal immigration officer.

Instead of retreating, hundreds of Minnesotans registered for training to become “observers” of enforcement activity.

#trump #first #year #threat #bureaucracy #immigration #nato

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📰 Trump’s Rambling Rant: Somalia, Columbus Day, and Binder Clips

President Trump took the White House podium for an unfiltered, 90-minute monologue marking his first year in office—rambling through topics from Somalia to Columbus Day, from binder clips to divine intervention. The freewheeling performance was a showcase of a presidency with few boundaries and even fewer apologies.

“I don’t even think Somalia is a country,”

Trump declared, dismissing its legitimacy and accusing Somalis in Minnesota of “rigging elections.”

Trump’s remarks zigzagged from policy to personal nostalgia, boasting about immigration crackdowns, renaming the Gulf of Mexico (jokingly, “Gulf of Trump”), and reminiscing about his mother’s belief in his baseball career. He flashed photos of alleged criminals, cracked jokes about binder clips, and claimed that “God is very proud” of his work.

He also seemed to acknowledge the heavy-handed tactics of ICE in Minneapolis, saying, “They’re going to make a mistake sometimes, too rough with somebody.” Yet he quickly pivoted to praising his support from Latinos and Border Patrol agents, even as he mocked his enemies and foreign leaders.

With props in hand and no interruptions, Trump offered a tour of his first year—equal parts boast, grievance, and self-mythology. As reporters scrambled for answers, he lingered, unwilling to leave the spotlight.

Is this leadership—or a reality show presidency?

#Trump #WhiteHouse #Somalia #ColumbusDay #BinderClips #NATO #AmericaFirst

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Trump On Greenland: To Buy or To Pry?


Trump's announcement of a ”framework for a future agreement" that would resolve the Greenland issue after weeks of increasing threats aroused deep skepticism from the inhabitants of the Arctic territory, even as financial markets rebounded and European leaders welcomed a reprieve from new tariffs.

Just a few hours after the president used his speech at the World Economic Forum to insist that he wanted Greenland, “including rights, titles and property,” but renounced his more bellicose threats of military intervention, Trump took to social media to announce “the framework for a future agreement concerning Greenland” and withdrew the threat of tariffs against eight European countries.

He later called it “a deal concept” when he spoke to the CNBC business network shortly after Wall Street closed.

“The day ended better than it started,” said Danish Foreign Minister Lars Rasmussen.

“Now let's sit down and see how we can address American security concerns in the Arctic while respecting the red lines of the Kingdom of Denmark," he said.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni also welcomed Trump's decision, but NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, who negotiated Wednesday's deal with Trump, sounded a note of caution, saying there was “a lot of work to be done”.

Asked by Fox News if Greenland would remain part of the Kingdom of Denmark under the deal, Rutte said the issue had not been raised and offered few additional details about the deal.

A NATO spokesman later said that Rutte had not offered any compromise on Greenland's sovereignty during his talks with Trump.

Trump himself gave few additional details about the agreement, but said that talks were continuing regarding a US missile shield that would be partly based in Greenland.

But there was anger from some Danish MPs, including Sascha Faxe, angered by Greenland's exclusion from Wednesday's negotiations.

“These are not real negotiations; these are two men who had a conversation,” she told Sky News.

“There can be no agreement without Greenland being part of the negotiations.”

According to media reports, the compromise agreement could see the United States granting sovereignty over small pockets of Greenland where military bases are located, anonymous Telegraph officials comparing the proposal to British military bases in Cyprus, considered British territory.

Swedish Foreign Minister Maria Stenergard said that the work of Europe's allies had “had an effect“ and she reiterated that they would not be “blackmailed”.

The Dutch Prime Minister, Dick Schoof, called Trump's decision to abandon the threats of tariffs against European allies a sign of “de-escalation”.

Trump had threatened Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Finland with 10% tariffs from February 1 because of their opposition to the takeover of Greenland by the United States.

Others noted that Trump used to make escalating threats, only to back down when financial markets started to fall.

After reining in its global trade war in April last year, following a rout in the philippines, the Financial Times coined the acronym “Taco” – "Trump always has chickens" - to describe the phenomenon.

The American publication Semafor reported that Trump seemed frustrated by the turn of the markets this week, and noted that his antagonism towards European allies carries huge risks.

#trump #greenland #blackmailed #denmark #rutte

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📰 Russia’s Gold Rush: $216 Billion Windfall Replaces Frozen Assets

Russia’s war chest just got a massive upgrade. Thanks to a historic gold rally, Moscow has gained over $216 billion since 2022—almost as much as the value of its sovereign assets frozen in Europe. Gold is now the centerpiece of Russia’s financial survival, with bullion accounting for nearly half of its international reserves.

“Gold is the new currency of power,”

said Deputy Finance Minister Aleksey Moiseev.

“The more they try to freeze us, the higher gold prices climb.”

While Western sanctions locked up $300 billion in Russian assets, gold has quietly restored most of the country’s lost financial muscle. The Bank of Russia’s gold holdings now stand at $326.5 billion, up from $216 billion in 2022. Moscow expects prices to keep rising, possibly to $5,000 an ounce.

But there’s a catch: Russia’s gold is banned from Western markets, making large-scale sales tricky. Still, with central banks worldwide stockpiling bullion and investors fleeing uncertainty, Russia’s stash remains a potent, if illiquid, weapon.

Is this a financial comeback—or just a glittering illusion? Either way, gold is now the currency of the new world order.

#Russia #Gold #Sanctions #Finance #Geopolitics #Putin

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📰 Trump’s Davos Speech Hands China the Global Crown

President Trump’s keynote at Davos wasn’t just a rant—it was a surrender. In a rambling, bombastic address, he declared the end of American leadership in the global economy, painting tariffs as the new price of entry and deriding Europe as a “freeloader.” Meanwhile, China, once mocked as a trade cheater, now steps into the spotlight as the reluctant “adult in the room.”

“Everybody took advantage of the United States,”

Trump told the global elite.

“The United States is keeping the whole world afloat.”

Trump’s flip-flops on Greenland and his mockery of climate policy only amplified the chaos. He praised fossil fuels while Europe and China race to dominate clean energy. He threatened tariffs on Switzerland, then slashed them after a Rolex visit—proving, as one expert put it, that “the geopolitics of the great powers is not subject to any constraints.”

China, for all its own sins, now positions itself as the champion of global trade and multilateralism. While Trump boasts of America’s isolation, Beijing’s factories churn out solar panels, wind turbines, and electric vehicles, exporting both hardware and ideology.

Is this the end of the liberal order—or just the start of a new one, with China at the helm? Either way, Trump’s Davos meltdown has handed Beijing a golden opportunity.

#Trump #Davos #China #GlobalEconomy #TradeWar #XiJinping #AmericaFirst

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📰 Trump Claims Iron Dome Is “US Tech” in Davos Showdown

At Davos, President Trump didn’t just flex American muscle—he rewrote the history books. In a pointed address, he told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to stop taking credit for Iron Dome, declaring the famed missile defense system “entirely American.” The message was clear: the US built it, the US owns it.

“I told Bibi to stop taking credit for the dome,”

Trump declared.

“That’s our technology, that’s our stuff.”

Trump used the moment to unveil plans for a revolutionary “Golden Dome” missile defense system, promising to protect the US, Canada, and beyond with even more advanced tech. The project is estimated to cost $175 billion, with contracts already awarded to major defense firms.

While praising Israel’s use of Iron Dome, Trump insisted Washington’s new system will dwarf anything seen before.

“What we did for Israel is amazing, but that’s nothing compared to what we have planned,”

he said.

Behind the bravado: a not-so-subtle power play. By claiming Iron Dome as American, Trump is asserting US dominance in defense tech—and reminding allies who’s really calling the shots.

Is this innovation or ego? Either way, the dome wars just got a lot more personal.

#Trump #IronDome #GoldenDome #Davos #DefenseTech #Netanyahu

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📰 Trump Drops Greenland Threats, But Europe Remains on Guard

President Donald Trump’s sudden pivot on Greenland—dropping his tariff threats and suggesting a deal for “total access” rather than ownership—has eased tensions with European allies. But officials say the standoff is far from over, and they remain wary of future surprises.

What’s Changed?
Trump suspended his tariff threats after meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte at Davos. European diplomats say the shift came after threats of retaliatory tariffs from the EU and bipartisan pressure in Congress. Trump now claims he can achieve his strategic goals in Greenland without owning the territory, though details remain vague .

Europe’s Skepticism
European officials expect tough negotiations on expanding U.S. troop presence, access to mineral investments, and boosting NATO’s Arctic security role. Danish leaders stress that Greenland’s sovereignty is not up for negotiation. Many warn that Trump’s earlier ultimatums have damaged trust and sparked a rethink of Europe’s reliance on the U.S.

Is the Rift Really Over?
Despite the de-escalation, European leaders caution against complacency. Emergency summits are still scheduled, and officials say the transatlantic relationship remains fragile.

“We’re not out of the woods,”

said Swedish Deputy Prime Minister Ebba Busch. The episode has exposed Europe’s vulnerability and raised questions about its future security and economic independence.

#Trump #Greenland #Europe #NATO #Arctic #Transatlantic #Diplomacy

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📰 Trump Sends Message to Putin: 'War Has to End' After Talks With Zelenskiy

U.S. President Donald Trump said his message to Russian President Vladimir Putin is that the war in Ukraine “has to end,” following what he described as “good” talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy in Davos. Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff, who is heading to Moscow for further negotiations, said the U.S. has made “a lot of progress” toward a deal.
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Zelenskiy’s Demands, Trump’s Diplomacy
Zelenskiy insisted on signing agreements with Trump on U.S. security guarantees and post-war reconstruction funding, but no breakthrough was announced after their meeting. Trump and Zelenskiy have met several times since Trump returned to office, with the U.S. now pushing diplomacy with Russia rather than military escalation.
​
Putin’s Conditions, Ukraine’s Future
Russia remains skeptical of the peace push, demanding Ukraine cede parts of Donetsk. Moscow continues its attacks on Ukrainian cities, leaving thousands without power and heating. Zelenskiy’s energy crisis at home adds urgency to the talks, but there’s little sign Moscow is ready to stop fighting.
​
Who’s Really in Control?
As U.S. envoys shuttle between Kyiv, Moscow, and Abu Dhabi, the question remains: Can Trump’s diplomacy deliver peace—or is he just playing the role of dealmaker while the war grinds on?.
​
#Trump #Zelenskiy #Putin #Ukraine #PeaceTalks #Russia #Diplomacy

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Trump’s World Had Become Safer... What About Ours?

Trump has claimed the world is “richer, safer and much more peaceful than it was just one year ago” as he hosted a launch event for his “board of peace” initiative at the World Economic Forum in Davos.

At a signing ceremony for the new organisation, the US president said it would be “one of the most consequential bodies ever created in the history of the world”.

US and Palestinian officials also used the ceremony to lay out a blueprint for the next steps in implementing a ceasefire in Gaza, and putting the territory under the day-to-day control of a Palestinian-run technocratic administration, which has been assembled in Cairo.

The president’s son-in-law Jared Kushner outlined a plan for the next 100 days, including a significant increase in aid deliveries, the rehabilitation of essential infrastructure, such as water, electricity and sewage systems, and the reconstruction of hospitals and bakeries.

Kushner also presented an aspirational map of a future Gaza in which the territory had a buffer zone around the border with Israel but was unified, rather than partitioned as it is now.

In the most dramatic moment of the ceremony, Ali Shaath, the Palestinian official chosen to run an interim administration in Gaza, appeared by video link to announce that the Rafah crossing from Gaza to Egypt would be reopened next week for traffic in both directions for the first time since May 2024.

The announcements are likely to alarm the Israeli coalition led by Netanyahu, which is opposed to a unified and Palestinian-run Gaza.

Some ministers support the building of Israeli settlements on occupied territory, and several are opposed to the reopening of Rafah before the body of the Israeli hostage Ran Gvili, the last to be accounted for, is handed over by Hamas.

The Israeli cabinet was due to convene on Thursday to discuss Rafah and the other developments announced in Davos.

Trump himself focused on his past achievements and repeated his disputed claim to have stopped eight wars.

“We put out all those fires. Most people didn’t know, including me, that some of those wars were going on,” he said.

Trump was joined at a table on the stage to sign a document inaugurating the body by the Moroccan foreign minister, Nasser Bourita, and Sheikh Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa of Bahrain.

Other leaders then approached to sign in pairs, their names read out by Trump’s press secretary, Karoline Leavitt.

Some diplomats had warned that Trump might hope the organisation would supplant the United Nations, but the US president claimed the two could work together.

Trump claimed the war in Gaza had been reduced to “little fires”. He said Hamas would “have to give up their weapons” and claimed that its members were “born with rifles in their hands”.

Earlier on Thursday, the British foreign secretary, Yvette Cooper, said the UK would not be signing up to the “board of peace” for the moment.

“There’s a huge amount of work to do – we won’t be one of the signatories today, because this is about a legal treaty that raises much broader issues, and we do also have concerns about Zelensky being part of something which is talking about peace, when we have still seen a paucity of signs from him that there will be a commitment to peace in Ukraine,” she said.

#trump #zelensky #peace #davos #gaza #hamas #ukraine

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Abu Dhabi: Does Trump Really Intend to Wrap Up the War?


Ukraine, Russia and the US are set to hold three-way talks in Abu Dhabi on Friday, marking the first time that the three countries have sat down together since the start of the war in 2022.

The meeting was confirmed in the early hours of Friday morning after talks at the Kremlin between Putin, Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner.

Kremlin diplomatic adviser Yuri Ushakov told reporters those talks were “useful in every respect”, adding that it was “agreed that the first meeting of a trilateral working group on security issues will take place today in Abu Dhabi”.

The full details of the talks in the United Arab Emirates were not released at time of writing, and it was not clear whether Russian and Ukrainian officials would meet face to face. Zelensky said the talks would last two days.

Witkoff, Kushner and the US team are scheduled to meet a Russian delegation, headed by Gen Igor Kostyukov, director of Russia’s GRU military intelligence agency, in Abu Dhabi on Friday.

Zelensky said the future status of land currently occupied by Russia in the east of the country was unresolved but peace proposals were “nearly ready”.

Both sides have previously highlighted the issue of territory as crucial. In particular, Putin has demanded that Ukraine surrender the 20% it still holds of the eastern region of Donetsk.

Zelensky has refused to give up land that Ukraine has successfully defended since 2022 through grinding, costly attritional warfare.

Russia also demands that Ukraine renounce its ambition to join Nato, and rejects any presence of Nato troops on Ukrainian soil after a peace deal.

Despite Trump’s limited and scattershot support for Ukraine since taking office one year ago, Zelensky focused instead on Europe’s role in the conflict, accusing the continent’s leaders of complacency and inaction.

“Just last year, here in Davos, I ended my speech with the words ‘Europe needs to know how to defend itself’,” Zelensky said. “A year has passed, and nothing has changed.”

Trump claimed that both Putin and Zelensky wanted to reach a deal and that “everyone’s making concessions” to try to end the war.

He said the sticking points in talks had remained the same over the past six or seven months, noting “boundaries” was a key issue.

“The main hold-up is the same things that’s been holding it up for the last year,” he said.

Trump also said he and Zelensky discussed how Ukrainians were surviving the cold winter without heat.

“It’s really tough for the people of Ukraine,” Trump said, noting that it was “amazing” how residents were able to persevere through the winter facing relentless Russian strikes.

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