OSLO/KYIV/WASHINGTON: US envoy Steve Witkoff is set to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday, following what a US official described as "constructive" talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy in Norway. The meeting comes as President Donald Trump has urged Ukraine to seek an end to the ongoing war.
The US official stated that Ukraine presented new proposals during the Oslo talks, which included leaders from Norway and Finland, as well as European and NATO representatives. Participants reportedly made "meaningful progress" toward a coordinated approach for engaging Russia.
The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, noted that discussions covered "key elements of a comprehensive peace framework," including security guarantees for Ukraine, a post-war economic plan, and a broader European security architecture. Witkoff aims to "create a pathway toward direct trilateral and broader multilateral negotiations."
Zelenskiy traveled to Oslo seeking to repair relations with Washington, which have strained as President Trump has engaged with Moscow. Kyiv has previously expressed concerns over withheld military support and intelligence.
Following the Oslo meeting and a phone call with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Zelenskiy confirmed that Ukraine is once again receiving early warnings of Russian missile attacks. He noted that he and Rubio discussed the supply of Patriot missile interceptors and the satellite-based Starlink system.
President Trump's recent overtures toward Moscow have faced bipartisan pushback in the US Congress. Zelenskiy indicated that he had discussed "Article 5-like" security guarantees.
On Tuesday, Trump called on Ukraine to settle the war, suggesting that Moscow currently holds the upper hand. Under the Trump administration, the US has largely ceased direct weapons shipments to Ukraine but permits European nations to purchase US weaponry on Kyiv's behalf through the Prioritised Ukraine Requirements List (PURL) programme.
The international community remains focused on whether these diplomatic efforts can translate into a tangible ceasefire. Analysts suggest that the involvement of European partners is crucial to balancing the interests of both Kyiv and Moscow in any potential settlement.
As the situation evolves, the role of the US envoy remains pivotal in bridging the gap between the conflicting parties. The upcoming meeting in Moscow is viewed as a litmus test for the effectiveness of the new peace framework proposed in Oslo.
Both Washington and Kyiv have emphasized that any final agreement must respect the sovereignty of Ukraine while addressing the security concerns raised by regional stakeholders in the ongoing conflict.