Zelensky: ‘For Now, I Choose Ukraine’ as Energy Crisis Clouds Davos Trip

January 21 ------ President Volodymyr Zelensky said that addressing Ukraine’s energy crisis is his top priority and may prevent him from traveling to the World Economic Forum in Davos, despite ongoing work on key international documents.

Speaking to journalists online, Zelensky said he has consulted Ukraine’s energy headquarters and held meetings to coordinate responses to power and heating shortages caused by Russian attacks. “For now, I am choosing Ukraine, not an economic forum,” Zelensky said, adding that the situation could change quickly depending on energy or air defense support.

Overnight, Russia hit Kyiv in another massive attack, launching ballistic missiles and leaving 5,635 high-rise buildings without heating. Zelensky said two documents remain central to Ukraine’s diplomatic efforts: a “prosperity plan” and agreements on security guarantees. He thanked the US and Ukrainian teams for working together on the texts, saying they are nearing completion. “There is the last mile left to finalize these documents,” he said, adding that once they are ready, meetings and possible travel could follow, particularly if discussions include energy packages or additional air defense systems.

Zelensky said his team has made progress at Davos, nearly completing a document on Ukraine’s recovery, but for now, he will remain in the country to coordinate government services amid the ongoing crisis. According to Kyiv’s mayor, 5,635 high-rise buildings were left without heating following the strike, nearly 80% of which had only recently had heating restored after resulting outages from earlier attacks on Jan. 9. As of Monday evening, just 16 of nearly 6,000 buildings remained without heating following extensive repair work from earlier damage. “The left bank remains without a water supply following today’s attack. Utility and energy workers are restoring heat, water, and electricity,” Kyiv Mayor Vitaly Klitschko said.

Following two recent Russian strikes on Kyiv and amid severe frost, the city’s energy situation has deteriorated. Emergency power outages without fixed schedules have been in effect for nearly a week, accompanied by disruptions to water and heating.

Source: kyivpost.com