Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy is travelling to Oslo on Tuesday to meet United States special envoy Steve Witkoff, as Kyiv tries to steady a relationship with Washington that has come under visible strain. Norwegian officials say the Zelenskiy Witkoff Oslo meeting should put diplomatic efforts on a more constructive path as both sides work toward ending Russia’s war against Ukraine.
FAKTA: The Zelenskiy Witkoff Oslo Meeting
- Who: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and US special envoy Steve Witkoff; US negotiator Jared Kushner joining by video link; Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere and Finnish President Alexander Stubb also taking part.
- Where and when: Oslo, Norway, on Tuesday, October 20; a news conference is expected later in the day.
- On the table: ballistic missile interceptors, early warning of Russian missile launches, and the restoration of Starlink/Starshield satellite services for Ukrainian forces.
- Context: tensions have grown as US President Donald Trump has engaged more directly with Moscow; Witkoff is expected to travel on to Russia afterward, according to reports.
- Europe’s role: Western European leaders are pressing to keep Washington engaged; Norway hosts, Finland attends, and the EU and NATO are expected to be represented.
A Strained Transatlantic Relationship
The meeting comes after two difficult weeks for Kyiv’s standing in Washington. President Trump has repeatedly criticized Zelenskiy while adopting a friendlier tone toward Moscow. On Monday, Trump said Russia had been “fine on Ukraine” and suggested that Kyiv find someone else to negotiate with. He has also waived certain sanctions on Russia, describing the move as part of an effort to lower fuel prices in the United States.
Kyiv has grown uneasy. Ukrainian officials say Washington has been slower to provide early warning of Russian missile launches and has throttled the SpaceX satellite links Ukrainian drone units depend on. Zelenskiy said he raised the issue with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, calling for the Starlink and Starshield systems to be restored.
Under Trump, the United States has largely stopped supplying weapons to Ukraine directly, though European countries can still buy American weapons on Kyiv’s behalf. Washington continues to provide intelligence and technology that European governments say they cannot easily replace.
Europe Steps Into the Middle
The choice of Oslo underscores how European capitals are working to keep the United States anchored to Ukraine’s cause. Norway’s prime minister said the goal of hosting Tuesday’s talks was to steer diplomacy in a constructive direction.
According to reports, US, Ukrainian and European officials have spent the past week aligning positions on a peace proposal that could restart negotiations with Russia. Witkoff is reported to plan a trip to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin after Oslo, carrying proposals shaped with Ukraine and its European partners.
Kushner, who plays a central role in the Trump administration’s negotiating team alongside Witkoff, will join the Oslo discussions virtually. The outcome could decide whether the current friction gives way to a coordinated diplomatic track — or the gap widens further. More reporting is available in our Europe news section.
