Zelenskyy Meets US Envoys in Oslo to Develop Peace Proposal

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived in Oslo, Norway, on October 20, 2026, for high-level negotiations to end the war with Russia. Co-hosted by Norway and Finland, the talks included US special envoy Steve Witkoff and adviser Jared Kushner, who participated virtually due to illness. The meetings aimed to develop a comprehensive peace proposal and a new security architecture for Europe, with Witkoff expected to present these ideas to President Vladimir Putin in Russia. The consultations included Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, Finnish President Alexander Stubb, and representatives from NATO, the European Union, and the E4 nations.

The diplomatic push occurs amid sharply deteriorating relations between Kyiv and Washington. Zelenskyy accused the US of intentionally slowing military support by throttling Starshield satellite speeds, delaying Patriot missile deliveries, and limiting intelligence sharing. While US officials denied these claims, Zelenskyy held a constructive conversation with Secretary of State Marco Rubio to address these gaps. Simultaneously, President Donald Trump criticized Zelenskyy, suggesting the Ukrainian leader be replaced as negotiator and waiving sanctions on Russian diesel to lower US fuel prices.

On the ground, the conflict intensified as a previously announced energy ceasefire failed. Russian drones and missiles struck energy facilities in Odesa and near Kyiv, killing at least seven people, while Ukrainian drones targeted an oil pumping station in Russia's Tambov Oblast. Despite the tensions, the Kremlin expressed hope that Witkoff would soon brief President Putin on the Oslo discussions.