Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met Norwegian and European partners in Oslo on October 20, 2026, alongside U. S.
envoy Steve Witkoff.
The talks aim to coordinate proposals with Kyiv and European governments before Witkoff potentially travels to Russia to present them to President Vladimir Putin.
According to Axios, the Oslo meetings include Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store, representatives from the E4 group of the United Kingdom, France, Germany and Poland, and officials from the European Union and NATO.
A U. S.
official said the objective was to develop a coordinated proposal that could provide a basis for restarting negotiations with Moscow.
President Donald Trump's adviser Jared Kushner, who has the flu, is participating remotely rather than attending in person, according to ANSA.
Witkoff hopes to meet Putin after the discussions and present ideas developed in close consultation with Ukraine and its European partners.
Zelensky's Diplomatic and Security Agenda
Zelensky outlined additional diplomatic and security discussions during his visit to Norway.
In a post on X, he said his schedule included a trilateral meeting with Jonas Gahr Store and Finnish President Alexander Stubb, a bilateral meeting with Witkoff, and a meeting involving all four leaders.
"I will also have an audience with King Haakon VIII of Norway and a meeting with the Storting," Zelensky wrote.
He added that the discussions would address strengthening Ukraine's air defenses and joint production, alongside efforts to pursue peace.
The diplomatic initiative comes amid reports that Washington is pressing Kyiv to consider territorial concessions in the Donbas region in exchange for potential economic benefits.
The New York Times reported that Trump wants Zelensky to reconsider resistance to a settlement that would largely reflect Russian terms.
U. S.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with Zelensky in a 45-minute phone call on October 20, according to Axios.
Rubio's message was that Trump had not issued any order intended to harm Ukraine.
European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas criticized Washington's approach during a debate in Strasbourg, arguing that European support had helped Ukraine resist pressure to accept Russia's conditions.
She said European governments also had demands of Moscow and would not offer concessions without conditions.
"We must be extremely clear that we also have demands of Moscow and will not give anything away for free, because the goal is not just to achieve peace, but a lasting and just peace," Kallas said.
Russian officials have expressed interest in continuing diplomatic engagement with Washington while emphasizing the question of Ukraine's representation.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on October 19 that Moscow appreciated U. S.
mediation efforts and maintained that a final settlement required Ukrainian representatives prepared to take responsibility for the resolution process.
According to Russian news agencies, Peskov also said the Kremlin hoped to arrange a meeting between Putin and Witkoff soon.
He separately called for the United States and Russia to resume dialogue on nuclear arms, arguing that the two countries currently lacked an adequate legal framework in that area.
The Oslo discussions follow earlier contact between Witkoff, Kushner and Zelensky on October 18, when the officials reviewed progress and discussed next steps.
Witkoff's potential visit to Russia would allow him to present proposals shaped through consultations with Kyiv and European partners, although the supplied reports do not confirm that a meeting with Putin has been scheduled.
