Zelenskyy to hold talks on Russia-Ukraine war with Witkoff, Europeans

Zelenskyy’s Oslo meeting is a diplomatic effort to discuss how to end Russia’s war against Ukraine. It brings together Ukraine, the United States and European partners. The talks matter because fighting continues, even as political leaders explore a possible path toward ending it.

Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store said Zelenskyy requested Witkoff and Kushner’s participation. Store and Finland’s prime minister will attend in person. Kushner is expected to join remotely because of illness. Witkoff is President Donald Trump’s special envoy, giving the meeting a direct connection to the US administration.

The discussions come during strained US-Ukraine relations. Trump has accused Zelenskyy of not wanting to end the war and suggested someone else should negotiate for Kyiv. Zelenskyy has also discussed Patriot interceptors, intelligence sharing and Starlink with Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The Oslo talks therefore combine diplomacy with urgent military and political concerns.

A special envoy is a government representative given a focused diplomatic assignment. Unlike an ambassador, who usually manages broader relations with one country, an envoy works on a particular crisis, negotiation or policy goal. The role allows a president to send a trusted official directly into sensitive discussions.

Steve Witkoff is identified in the article as the United States special envoy. Zelenskyy requested that Witkoff participate in the Oslo discussions, alongside Jared Kushner. His presence gives the talks a direct channel to President Donald Trump’s administration. It also places him among the officials discussing how the war might end.

The article does not describe Witkoff’s specific proposals or negotiating authority. It does show that he is involved while Trump publicly criticizes Zelenskyy and eases some pressure on Russia. His participation may therefore help communicate Washington’s position, but the outcome depends on what the participants can agree.

These three resources support different parts of Ukraine’s defense. Patriot missile interceptors are used against incoming missiles. Intelligence helps commanders understand threats and plan responses. Starlink provides satellite internet, which can keep military units connected when ordinary communications are damaged or unavailable.

The article links Starlink directly to Ukraine’s armed forces. They use SpaceX’s military-grade Starshield network for several operations, including drone attacks. Zelenskyy told Rubio that Ukraine needed Patriot interceptors, intelligence sharing and Starlink support. He also said their conversation was constructive, though he did not confirm that the issues had been resolved.

Losing any of these tools could weaken a different military function. Fewer interceptors could leave more missiles reaching targets. Less intelligence could reduce warning and planning. Slower satellite communications could disrupt coordination and drone operations. The article reports that Washington had been accused of withholding intelligence and limiting Starlink speed.

The immediate impact was serious but concentrated in specific locations. At least three people were killed across Ukraine in Russian attacks on Tuesday. Four others were injured when a Russian drone struck a highway linking Kyiv with the Black Sea port of Odesa. The attacks also damaged energy facilities in the southern Odesa region.

The electricity disruption affected more than 32,000 families. Ukraine’s largest private energy company, DTEK, said three of its energy facilities had been hit by Russia. This means the attacks caused both direct human casualties and wider disruption to homes and basic services. The highway strike also affected an important transport connection.

The article reports a separate impact in Russia’s Tambov Oblast. Its governor said a fire started at an oil pumping station after an overnight Ukrainian drone attack, and four drones were intercepted. Together, these incidents show that long-range attacks are continuing on both sides while diplomatic discussions take place.

US support affects both Ukraine’s battlefield defense and its position at the negotiating table. Intelligence can provide warning and help identify threats. Patriot interceptors can defend against missiles. Reliable satellite communications can connect units and support operations. If those resources decline, Ukraine may have fewer ways to protect people and infrastructure.

The article gives a concrete example through Starshield. Ukraine’s armed forces use SpaceX’s military-grade network for several operations, including drone attacks. Zelenskyy accused Washington of withholding intelligence and limiting Starlink’s internet speed. He also sought more Patriot interceptors and restoration of intelligence sharing and Starshield services in his conversation with Rubio.

The article does not measure exactly how much Ukraine’s military capacity would fall. In general, reduced support could increase pressure on Ukraine during negotiations because battlefield resilience and diplomatic leverage are connected. Zelenskyy described the Rubio discussion as constructive, but he did not confirm that Washington had agreed to fix the disputed issues.

Negotiations and military action are happening at the same time. The Oslo meeting seeks a way to end the war, but no agreement has yet stopped attacks. Russia and Ukraine therefore continue using long-range weapons while their leaders and allies discuss possible diplomatic outcomes.

The article records attacks on both sides. A Russian drone killed three people and injured four on a highway near Odesa. Russian strikes also hit three DTEK energy facilities, leaving more than 32,000 families without electricity. In Russia’s Tambov Oblast, the governor reported a fire at an oil pumping station after a Ukrainian drone attack.

These incidents show why the talks are urgent, but they also show the gap between discussion and reality on the ground. The article does not say that either side has agreed to a ceasefire. Until an arrangement changes military behavior, long-range attacks can continue alongside negotiations and increase pressure on the participants.

Economic sanctions are government restrictions used to pressure a country, company or sector. They can limit sales, purchases, financing or access to important products. In this case, sanctions are part of the wider response to Russia’s war. Changing them can affect Russia’s income, the choices available to other countries and the cost of energy.

The article says Trump lifted sanctions on Russian diesel exports. That decision makes it easier for Russian diesel to reach markets. Trump wants to bring down energy prices, which have surged as a result of the US-Israel war on Iran. More permitted exports could increase fuel availability and reduce some market pressure, although the article does not quantify the price effect.

Zelenskyy called the waiver a “reward” for Vladimir Putin. He warned that it could embolden the Russian president. The change therefore creates a tension between two goals: reducing energy costs and maintaining economic pressure over the war. Its effect depends on market conditions and how Russia uses the added access to energy markets.