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| President Volodymyr Zelensky |
OSLO — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky emerged from high-stakes talks in the Norwegian capital on Tuesday expressing gratitude that U.S. military intelligence on Russian strikes “works now,” a pointed acknowledgment after weeks of friction that had left Kyiv vulnerable to ballistic missile attacks without the usual early warnings.
Standing alongside Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre and Finnish President Alexander Stubb, Zelensky thanked the American side for restoring the critical flow of data, calling early-warning systems vital for protecting Ukrainian lives.
The remarks came after a day of carefully choreographed diplomacy hosted by the Nordic leaders at Zelensky’s request. The gathering brought together the Ukrainian president, the Norwegian and Finnish leaders, and U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff, with Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner joining remotely. The explicit aim, according to Støre, was to put relations between Kyiv and Washington “on a more constructive path” after a period of sharp public recriminations. Witkoff is scheduled to travel to St. Petersburg on Wednesday to present ideas from the Oslo discussions to Russian leadership, raising the possibility of eventual leaders-level talks.
“We are thankful to the American side—now it works, it is great,” Zelensky said of the intelligence sharing. He has repeatedly stressed that only the United States possesses the unique capability to provide timely alerts on Russian ballistic missile launches, a lifeline Ukraine has relied upon to evacuate civilians and position air defenses.
Ukrainian officials had reported interruptions lasting several days in mid-October, coinciding with tensions over Kyiv’s strikes on Russian energy infrastructure. U.S. officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, denied any deliberate pause, though Zelensky had earlier described the flow as blocked and then “de-blocked.”
A Relationship Under Strain
The Oslo meeting unfolded against a backdrop of unusually public discord between Zelensky and President Donald Trump. Earlier this month, Trump suggested it was “time for Ukraine to get a new president” after Zelensky criticized a U.S. arrangement to import Russian diesel—framed by the White House as a move to ease global fuel prices but denounced in Kyiv as a concession to Moscow. Trump had also waived certain sanctions on Russia days before they were set to take effect, drawing sharp Ukrainian rebukes. Zelensky, for his part, has portrayed Russia as solely responsible for prolonging the war and has accused partners of delays in vital supplies, including interceptors and satellite connectivity via SpaceX’s Starshield system. yahoo.com
Zelensky confirmed a “good conversation” with Rubio and noted that Ukraine had immediately backed a U.S. proposal for an energy ceasefire—halting strikes on sensitive Russian energy sites in exchange for reciprocal restraint. Russia, he said, responded by continuing attacks. “Ukraine wants peace more than anyone,” Zelensky told reporters.
“The decision to keep the killing going is Russia’s choice, and Russia’s alone.” He added that Ukraine is “not losing this war, but we are losing people because Russia attacks,” underscoring the human cost while affirming readiness for negotiations.
Finnish President Stubb described “genuine progress” on both the “big picture” of a potential peace framework—covering security guarantees, economic recovery, territory, and sanctions—and shorter-term measures such as air defense, protection of energy installations, and possible partial ceasefires. “In my experience, peace requires patience. But unfortunately war does not wait. People are dying every day… I think today was a step in the right direction,” Stubb said. Ideas developed in Oslo will be carried by Witkoff to Russia.
Europe’s Quiet Role and Insistence on Inclusion
Støre framed the talks as “good and constructive,” emphasizing Norway’s support for Ukraine’s “legitimate defence against military aggression.” He noted that discussions covered Ukraine’s security, a postwar prosperity plan, territorial questions, and sanctions. Critically, when asked why Witkoff was not at the joint news conference, Støre clarified that the event was for political leaders and stressed a broader principle: “Europe needs to be at the table” for any peace process. “To achieve a lasting and fair peace, we need an equation of US, Ukraine, Russia and Europe,” he said. Stubb reinforced that the Nordic pair often operate “in the back office” as supporters of Ukraine, while urging continued American engagement.
This Nordic facilitation reflects a pragmatic European effort to keep channels open amid shifting U.S. priorities under Trump. Norway and Finland have positioned themselves as reliable interlocutors—Finland as a frontline NATO member sharing a long border with Russia, and Norway with its longstanding tradition of quiet diplomacy and significant support for Ukraine. Their involvement helps ensure European voices are not sidelined in a process that Trump’s team has pursued through unconventional channels, relying heavily on personal envoys like Witkoff, a real-estate developer and longtime Trump associate who has previously met Putin, and Kushner. en.wikipedia.org
What Comes Next
Zelensky expressed hope that the ideas discussed—including the possibility of a trilateral leaders’ meeting—would be conveyed effectively. “Steve is going to Russia tomorrow. Let’s see what Putin has to say,” he said, thanking partners who stand with Ukraine and for peace. The Kremlin has indicated openness to receiving a briefing from Witkoff on Ukrainian and European thinking. Whether this yields movement on a ceasefire, security guarantees approximating NATO’s Article 5 (as some Ukrainian reports have suggested were discussed), or further confidence-building measures remains to be seen. @zelenskyyua
For Ukraine, the restoration of reliable intelligence is an immediate practical win that can save lives even as broader diplomacy inches forward. For Europe, the Oslo gathering reaffirmed that any durable settlement must account for the continent that will live with the consequences. And for the Trump administration, the meeting tests whether pressure on Kyiv combined with outreach to Moscow can produce the comprehensive peace proposal the White House has directed its envoys to develop.
The war grinds on. Russian strikes continue.
Ukrainian forces hold the line at enormous cost. In Oslo, the language was measured, the atmosphere described as constructive, and the next test clear: what Putin chooses to say when Witkoff arrives. The gap between public expressions of progress and the battlefield reality remains wide—but the channels, for now, remain open.
Samuel O. Sulaimon is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Naijapiz. He covers Global, News, Sports, Finance, Faiths, Education, Politics and Technology.
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