Zelenskyy and Trump’s people at the same table. Crucial talks underway in Oslo
Talks are underway in Oslo between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and US envoy Steve’ Witkoff. Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre and Finnish President Alexander Stubb are also taking part in the meeting. The main subject of the negotiations is ending the war in Ukraine and preparing a peace proposal that could be presented to Russia.
Pictured: Steve Witkoff being welcomed by Jonas Gahr Støre, Alexander Stubb and Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Fot. Daniel Sannum Lauten/TV2, materiały prasowe Kancelarii Premiera Norwegii; Flickr.com (CC BY-NC 4.0)
The meeting was organised on 20 October at the request of the Ukrainian president. Zelenskyy asked Norway and Finland for help in holding talks with representatives of Donald Trump’s administration. Preparations lasted several days. The Norwegian prime minister confirmed that the goal is to steer diplomatic efforts onto a more constructive path.
Peace talks in Oslo. US envoy meets with Zelenskyy
Steve Witkoff arrived in Oslo on Tuesday, 20 October, before noon. He was welcomed at the airport with a red carpet, and less than an hour later Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived in the Norwegian capital. The talks are already underway. Before they began, the Ukrainian president met with King Harald V, as well as the Norwegian prime minister and the Finnish president.
Jared Kushner, Donald Trump’s son-in-law, is also taking part in the negotiations. Due to illness, he is participating remotely, as confirmed in an official statement. According to Axios, representatives of the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Poland, the European Union and NATO are also expected to join the talks online. A joint press conference with US representatives is scheduled for 7:15 p.m.
Jared Kushner, Donald Trump’s son-in-law, is also taking part in the negotiations. Due to illness, he is participating remotely, as confirmed in an official statement. According to Axios, representatives of the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Poland, the European Union and NATO are also expected to join the talks online. A joint press conference with US representatives is scheduled for 7:15 p.m.
A peace proposal for Ukraine. Relations with the US remain tense
One of the main goals of the meeting is to develop a peace proposal for Russia. Prime Minister Støre stressed that the success of the negotiations will depend on the powers Donald Trump has granted to his envoys. The situation remains complicated. In recent days, relations between the presidents of Ukraine and the US have escalated once again.
Zelenskyy accused the Trump administration of limiting intelligence cooperation and access to Starlink and Starshield satellite services. The US side denied the allegations, while Trump accused the Ukrainian president of lacking readiness to end the war. Political scientist Hilmar Mjelde of the Western Norway University of Applied Sciences (HVL) told NRK that maintaining US military and intelligence support is of key importance for Ukraine. However, the expert remains sceptical about the possibility of reaching a lasting agreement between Washington and Kyiv.
Zelenskyy accused the Trump administration of limiting intelligence cooperation and access to Starlink and Starshield satellite services. The US side denied the allegations, while Trump accused the Ukrainian president of lacking readiness to end the war. Political scientist Hilmar Mjelde of the Western Norway University of Applied Sciences (HVL) told NRK that maintaining US military and intelligence support is of key importance for Ukraine. However, the expert remains sceptical about the possibility of reaching a lasting agreement between Washington and Kyiv.
According to The New York Times, Steve Witkoff is due to travel to St Petersburg on Wednesday, 21 October, to meet with Vladimir Putin. Neither Russia nor the US has officially confirmed these plans so far. Meanwhile, Norwegian police have introduced air traffic restrictions over parts of Oslo and Romerike, also covering drones, which are to remain in force until 6 p.m. on Wednesday.
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