Ukraine's President Zelensky met with U.S. envoy Witkoff in Norway as tensions between Washington and Kyiv escalated. The meeting followed a deteriorating relationship marked by accusations of U.S. pressure on Ukraine to cease attacks on Russian oil refineries. Zelensky emphasized the need for security guarantees and intelligence sharing during the talks.
Zelensky, along with Norwegian and Finnish leaders, discussed peace efforts and security concerns. The meeting included a trilateral session with Witkoff, Store, and Stubb, and plans for further discussions with European and NATO officials. The EU and NATO are also expected to participate, highlighting continued diplomatic engagement.
The talks come amid concerns over U.S. withholding of military supplies and intelligence. Zelensky stressed the importance of reliable intelligence to counter Russian attacks, while the Kremlin expressed hope for future meetings with Witkoff to discuss peace initiatives and broader issues.
The U.S. and Russia have agreed on diesel supplies, a deal that has raised alarms in Ukraine and Europe. Witkoff is also set to meet Putin in Russia, potentially addressing the release of a detained American citizen linked to Ukrainian forces.