US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff is set to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday following constructive discussions with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy in Oslo. The talks also included leaders from Norway and Finland along with European and NATO representatives. A US official described the meetings as making meaningful progress toward a coordinated approach to engage Russia.
The Oslo discussions focused on key elements of a comprehensive peace framework. These included security guarantees for Ukraine, a post-war economic plan, and a broader European security structure. Officials said Ukraine presented new ideas and proposals during the talks. Witkoff aims to create a pathway toward direct trilateral and wider multilateral negotiations.
President Donald Trump has urged Ukraine to settle the war, stating that Russia currently holds an advantage on the battlefield. He told reporters that Ukraine must want to end the conflict, describing Russia as a large machine that keeps advancing and has already taken significant territory.
Zelenskiy travelled to Oslo to improve strained relations with Washington. After the meeting and a call with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, he said Ukraine was once again receiving early warnings of Russian missile attacks. He also discussed supplies of Patriot interceptors and the Starlink system. Zelenskiy expressed hope for a trilateral meeting between the leaders of Ukraine, Russia, and the United States.
Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere called the Oslo meeting good and constructive. Finnish President Alexander Stubb said the peace process appears to be back on track. Meanwhile, US officials have denied any deliberate effort to weaken Ukraine’s military capabilities.
The latest developments come as Russia continues attacks on Ukrainian energy facilities and cities. Both sides remain under pressure to find a path toward ending the long-running conflict.
