Ukraine updates: Kyiv pushes Ukraine peace plan in Davos

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock welcomed her newly appointed French counterpart Stephane Sejourne to Berlin Sunday. 

Speaking to reporters, Sejourne said the partners remained in, "full agreement that we must support the Ukrainians for as long as necessary," with Baerbock adding, "until Russia has withdrawn."

At the same time, Baerbock warned against complacency, noting that Putin "does not want to stop the war."

Sejourne said it was important to clearly articulate the value of Franco-German relations, calling it "more important than ever."

He acknowledged the relationship was not one without its differences of opinion. Sejourne added that as in any good relationship, ties between Paris and Berlin were made stronger by the fact that issues between partners could be openly discussed and joint solutions found. 

There is growing concern, both in Ukraine and among its allies, that interest in the country's fate could wane as conflicts like that in Gaza push it out of the headlines. 

Currently, much Ukraine funding is being held up in local political skirmishes. In the EU, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has successfully blocked a €50 billion ($54.8 billion) aid package; and in the US, Republicans are holding up $61 billion in Ukraine funding.

The EU has a meeting on the matter scheduled for February 1. US budget deadlines are currently set for January 19 and February 2. 

Sejourne, who met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv on Saturday for his first trip as foreign minister, will travel to Warsaw to meet recently elected Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk on Monday. 

China's involvement is crucial in ending the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia, the host of the meeting of national security advisors who met to discuss Kyiv's blueprint for peace said Sunday.

"China plays a significant role. We must find ways to work with China on this," Swiss Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis told a news conference after the meeting. 

China did not attend the gathering held ahead of the World Economic Forum in Davos.

"The participation of the BRICS alliance is very important because these countries have a relationship with Russia ... All this can create this collective movement to bring in countries that are far from the conflict but can play a role in influencing China and Russia," Cassis said.

Andriy Yermak, the Ukrainian president's chief of staff, posted photos of the meeting's opening and hailed it as a "good sign" that the number of participants in a string of conferences on Zelenskyy's peace formula was growing.

"Countries from the Global South are increasingly getting involved in our work. It shows understanding that this European conflict is, in fact, a challenge for all humanity," Yermak wrote.

The United Kingdom's Ministry of Defense (MOD) said the impact of the war is likely to impact healthcare for ordinary Russians. 

In its latest intelligence update published on Sunday, the ministry cites Russian media reports about a shortage of medical products, including some antibiotics, and difficulties accessing hospital services. 

"The war is likely to be significantly contributing to this situation as hospitals are treating wounded personnel," the update stated.

"The government is also being forced to reduce the civilian health estate nationwide due to a lack of clinical staff and financial pressures," the MOD added.

National security advisors of 81 countries and international organizations were meeting in the Swiss town of Davos to discuss Ukraine's blueprint for peace. 

The meeting is taking place ahead of the World Economic Forum (WEF), which is scheduled to start on Monday. It comes as Ukraine is trying to reaffirm support for its fight against Russia's invasion. In Davos, the delegates will focus on President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's so-called "Peace Formula," which was first presented in 2022.

The 10-point plan calls for the restoration of Ukraine's territorial integrity, the withdrawal of Russian troops, the protection of food and energy supplies, nuclear safety, and the release of all prisoners.

The Davos conference is the fourth meeting of the National Security Advisors (NSA) on the peace formula for Ukraine following previous gatherings in Copenhagen, Jeddah and most recently in Malta in October.

Russia rejected the plan but some still hope international pressure will influence Moscow to accept Kyiv's conditions for ending hostilities. 

Zelenskyy did not attend Sunday meeting, but he is expected to travel to Davos on Tuesday to seek support for Ukraine at WEF. War fatigue is growing among Kyiv's main supporters, including the United States and parts of Europe. The Israel-Hamas war, climate change, artificial intelligence, and a weak global economy all feature high on the WEF agenda. 

North Korea's foreign minister will visit Russia this week, according to state media in Pyongyang.

Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui will be in Russia from Monday to Wednesday at the invitation of her counterpart Sergei Lavrov, KCNA reported. 

The two countries have been forging closer ties with Kim Jong Un making a rare overseas trip to see President Vladimir Putin in September last year. 

Moscow's defense and foreign ministers also visited North Korea last year.

At the end of last year, the United States accused North Korea of sending ballistic missiles and launchers to Russia, which it called a "significant and concerning escalation" in support of Moscow's war effort.

A former mayor of the Russian city of Vladivostok has enlisted to fight in Ukraine after being sentenced to 12 years in prison for corruption.

Oleg Gumenyuk has reportedly joined the ranks of volunteers heading to the Ukrainian front lines.

According to the Kommersant newspaper, Gumenyuk's lawyer, Andrei Kitaev, revealed that his client received an order to report to his military unit in December. 

He was sentenced to 12 years for taking bribes of 38 million roubles (€394,000, $432,000)

Russia has been recruiting prisoners to fight in Ukraine on the promise they would be able to go home free if they survived.

lo/dj (AP, AFP, dpa, Reuters)