Trump's peace push: Zelensky urges energy ties over oil

"Of course, energy resources, and oil in particular, are one of the most important keys to peace, to real security. And Europe must work more closely with America and other global partners on energy resources, not with Russia," said President Zelensky in his evening address.

Earlier, during his speech in Davos, Donald Trump expressed his intention to lower oil prices to help end the conflict in Ukraine. "I’m also going to ask Saudi Arabia and OPEC to bring down the cost of oil," declared Trump at the economic forum in Davos.

"You got to bring it down, which, frankly, I’m surprised they didn’t do before the election. That didn’t show a lot of love by them not doing it. I was a little surprised by that. If the price came down, the Russia-Ukraine war would end immediately. Right now, the price is high enough that that war will continue. You got to bring down the oil price; you’re going to end that war. They should have done it long ago," added Trump.

He added that Ukraine is prepared to make a "deal" with Russia to end the conflict.

Zelensky mentioned that he had "relevant meetings, primarily regarding the United States and our European partners." He said, "Peace through strength is possible, and we firmly believe in this. The key is not to slow down and to keep the pressure on Russia—the sole actor responsible for this war, the one that wants it and is prolonging the aggression and occupation."

He assured that Ukraine is preparing diplomatic and international efforts to "ensure strong positions not only for Ukraine but for our entire Europe."

On Wednesday, Donald Trump called on Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the war in Ukraine. He warned that if an agreement is not swiftly reached, he will have no choice "but to put high levels of taxes, tariffs, and sanctions on anything being sold by Russia to the United States and various other participating countries."