Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived in Norway on Tuesday for talks with American envoys and European leaders, as diplomatic efforts to end Russia’s war in Ukraine face renewed disagreements between Kyiv and Washington.
The meeting brings together Zelenskyy, US special envoy Steve Witkoff, Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre and Finnish President Alexander Stubb. Fellow American envoy Jared Kushner is participating remotely, according to the Norwegian government.
Norway said Ukraine had requested the American envoys’ involvement. Støre described the meeting as an opportunity to put diplomatic efforts on a more constructive path, building on discussions previously held in other countries.
The talks come amid tensions over military assistance and the direction of peace negotiations. Zelenskyy has raised concerns about delayed air-defence missile deliveries and restrictions affecting satellite communications. Washington has denied deliberately withholding support, although US Secretary of State Marco Rubio acknowledged delivery delays, Reuters reported.
Before the Oslo meeting, Rubio spoke with Zelenskyy to address the disagreements. According to Axios, he said US policies on intelligence sharing, weapons sales and access to the Starshield satellite system had not changed, and rejected suggestions that Washington was intentionally trying to harm Ukraine.
The diplomatic push is taking place as Russian attacks continue. Ukrainian officials are seeking stronger air defences to protect civilians and infrastructure, making immediate security needs a central concern alongside efforts to negotiate an end to the conflict.
Witkoff could subsequently travel to Russia to discuss proposals with President Vladimir Putin, according to reports cited by AFP. That potential visit had not been immediately confirmed by the White House, leaving the next stage of the negotiations uncertain.
