Zelenskyy meets Norwegian and Finnish leaders in Oslo ahead of talks with US envoy
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived in Oslo for a diplomatic gathering with Norway, Finland and US special envoy Steve Witkoff as tensions rise over US-Ukraine military cooperation.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy landed in Oslo on Tuesday for a meeting that also includes Finnish President Alexander Stubb, Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre and US special envoy Steve Witkoff. The gathering, hosted by Norway and Finland, is part of renewed diplomatic efforts to end Russia's war in Ukraine and is expected to be followed by Witkoff’s trip to Moscow for talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Norwegian Prime Minister Støre said Kyiv specifically asked for the two American envoys and described the meeting as a chance to place diplomatic efforts on a more constructive path. > "Diplomatic efforts have previously taken place in several countries and Norway and Finland are pleased to be able to continue this work," Støre said.
Jared Kushner, son-in-law of President Donald Trump, will join the talks remotely. Representatives from the E4 countries – the United Kingdom, France, Germany and Poland – as well as officials from the EU and NATO are also expected to attend. Poland’s participation follows criticism from Prime Minister Donald Tusk after earlier negotiations excluded Warsaw.
The European Commission confirmed it had been invited by Ukraine to take part in the Oslo discussions, though it did not name its delegate. In addition to the Oslo talks, Witkoff’s planned meeting with Putin is expected to address the possible release of Stephen Hubbard, a 74-year-old American detained by Russia in 2022.
Zelenskyy began his visit with a meeting with Norway’s King Haakon VIII and later posted on X thanking the royal family and the Norwegian government for their support, noting discussions about the return of Ukrainian children taken by Russia.
The Oslo talks occur amid strained US-Ukraine relations, as the Trump administration urges Kyiv to halt strikes on Russian oil infrastructure while Ukraine seeks additional Patriot interceptor missiles and the restoration of Starlink/Starshield satellite communications. Zelenskyy has offered to suspend attacks on Russian oil facilities in exchange for more US-made Patriot missiles. He also raised concerns with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio about ballistic missile interceptors, early-warning intelligence and satellite communications.
Reports indicate delays in the delivery of a batch of Patriot interceptors already paid for by Ukraine’s European allies, with US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth yet to approve the transfer. Ukrainian officials suspect political motives, while NATO officials say allied-funded deliveries continue, and a US official disputes the delay allegations.