Zelensky Heads to Oslo for US Talks

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is preparing for talks with US and European representatives in Oslo as tensions with President Donald Trump’s administration grow over intelligence sharing, military support and negotiations with Russia.

Oslo meeting aims to ease tensions

US special envoy Steve Witkoff has arrived in Norway ahead of the discussions, which Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre said were requested by Zelensky and organised with Norway and neighbouring Finland.

Støre described the meeting as taking place at a critical moment for Ukraine, with the aim of steering relations between Kyiv and Washington towards a more constructive path.

The Norwegian prime minister said the participants wanted to help bring the war to an end through diplomacy and secure a lasting and just peace.

Witkoff is expected to be joined remotely by US President Donald Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner. European representatives are also expected to participate, including Finnish President Alexander Stubb and officials from the United Kingdom, Poland, France and Germany, alongside representatives of the European Union and Nato.

The meeting comes after a series of public disagreements between Trump and Zelensky, with the US president suggesting Ukraine should have a different leader negotiating on its behalf.

Rubio rejects intelligence withholding allegations

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has strongly rejected claims that Washington is deliberately withholding intelligence from Ukraine, describing the accusations as “scandalous” and “outrageous”.

His comments followed concerns raised by Serhii “Flash” Beskrestnov, a military technical adviser to Zelensky, who told the BBC that unreliable US warnings about incoming attacks were contributing to casualties.

Beskrestnov said Ukraine sometimes received advance information about attacks but on other occasions did not, leaving uncertainty over the availability of intelligence needed to protect people and military positions.

Rubio, speaking to reporters during a visit to India, said nothing had been intentionally denied to Kyiv. He acknowledged, however, that some military assistance might not yet have arrived.

Zelensky previously described a discussion with Rubio as constructive, saying they had addressed the need for early warnings, missile interceptors and access to SpaceX’s Starlink satellite internet network.

Patriot missile supplies remain a concern

The availability of Patriot missile interceptors is another issue facing Ukraine as it continues defending itself against Russian attacks.

Rubio acknowledged that reports suggesting additional interceptors had not yet reached Ukraine could be accurate, while maintaining that Washington had not deliberately withheld them.

The distinction comes amid uncertainty over the approval and transfer of further air defence equipment.

Last week, a bipartisan group of US senators called for an urgent investigation into disruptions affecting Starlink services in Ukraine. The system has played an important role in communications for Ukrainian forces and other users during the war.

Concerns about intelligence warnings, communications and missile supplies have added to pressure on Washington and Kyiv to clarify the terms and reliability of their military cooperation.

Kremlin hopes for further US discussions

It remains unclear whether Witkoff will travel to Russia following his visit to Oslo.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Moscow hoped to arrange a meeting with the US special envoy in the near future. He also praised the mediation efforts of American negotiators.

Earlier this month, Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed the war with Trump by telephone. Trump subsequently announced that Moscow would immediately supply more than 300,000 tonnes of diesel to the United States and other markets, bringing an end to American sanctions on Russian diesel exports, according to the report.

The announcement coincided with Witkoff and Kushner’s previous meeting with Ukrainian officials in Miami. Zelensky reacted critically, describing the development as a “happy birthday present for Putin”.

The sequence of events has added to European concerns about Washington’s approach to negotiations with Moscow and the future of its support for Kyiv.

Europe warns of pressure on defence budgets

European leaders have expressed concern about what they see as mixed messages from the United States regarding the war.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on Monday that recent statements from Washington presented “mixed pictures and messages”. He said he was trying to convince the US government that the conflict needed to be resolved jointly.

Merz also said the United States had not been paying for Ukraine’s defence since the start of 2025, leaving Europe and other countries to shoulder much of the financial burden.

He acknowledged that supporting Ukraine placed considerable pressure on European Union budgets but said European countries intended to continue their efforts until the war ended.

Washington and Kyiv differ over Ukraine’s role

US Vice-President JD Vance has also questioned the extent of Washington’s relationship with Ukraine, describing Kyiv as a partner while acknowledging differences in their interests.

Vance said the two countries could cooperate on certain issues but disagreed on others, including Ukrainian attacks on Russian energy infrastructure, which he said should stop.

He also pointed out that Ukraine was not a Nato member and said he did not believe it should join the alliance.

As the Oslo talks approach, intelligence sharing, military assistance and the diplomatic path towards ending the war remain central issues. The discussions will bring US and European representatives together at a time when Ukraine is seeking continued support while navigating increasingly strained relations with the Trump administration.