Oslo, Oct. 20 (SANA) Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived in the Norwegian capital Oslo on Tuesday for talks with U.S. special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, alongside European officials, as part of diplomatic efforts to advance a political settlement to the Russia-Ukraine war.
In a post on X upon arrival, Zelenskyy affirmed his country’s commitment to “keeping all diplomatic channels open in a way that could contribute to achieving peace.”
Dispute over military supplies
The meetings come as relations between Kyiv and Washington witness growing tension, after the Ukrainian president accused the United States of delaying the delivery of interceptor missiles he said his country needs to counter Russian attacks.
Zelenskyy told U.S. senators that Ukraine has almost run out of interceptor missiles for the Patriot air defense system and that a new missile package was awaiting U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s signature, suggesting “some political decision has been made to slow down support”.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio denied any deliberate withholding of military aid from Ukraine, explaining that the matter relates to balancing resources between various American commitments and domestic defense needs. Rubio said “nothing is being deliberately withheld” and that President Donald Trump is “frustrated” by accusations that he is intentionally harming Kyiv.
International push for peace
The Norwegian government said the meeting came at Ukraine’s request to strengthen diplomatic efforts at what it described as a critical stage. Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre and Finnish President Alexander Stubb are also participating.
According to Axios, representatives from the UK, France, Germany, Poland, the EU and NATO are expected to join via video link, with the aim of developing a peace proposal to present to Russia. Kushner is participating remotely due to illness, while Witkoff is physically present in Oslo.
Witkoff and Kushner are expected to travel to St. Petersburg on Wednesday to meet President Vladimir Putin, according to the New York Times.
Fighting continues
The diplomatic meetings coincided with continued military operations. Ukrainian authorities reported at least 12 people killed in Russian strikes overnight and on Tuesday, including attacks in the Kyiv region, Dnipro and Kramatorsk.
The Oslo talks come amid a sharp deterioration in U.S.-Ukraine relations in recent months over the management of the war and military support mechanisms. Trump has urged Ukraine to stop strikes on Russian oil infrastructure and suggested Kyiv needs a “new president” who could make a deal, while Zelenskyy has criticized Washington’s decision to suspend sanctions on Russian diesel.
The United States has been Ukraine’s most prominent military backer since the war began in February 2022, but the relationship has been strained by disputes over missile deliveries, intelligence sharing and Starlink communications restrictions.
Kh.A / H.H
