US special envoy Steve Witkoff has arrived in Norway ahead of meetings with Volodymyr Zelensky as diplomatic friction continues to grow between the Ukrainian leadership and US President Donald Trump. Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre noted that Zelensky requested Norway and neighboring Finland to facilitate the gathering with American and European partners during what he described as a vital period for Ukraine. Prior to the discussions, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio dismissed allegations as scandalous and outrageous that Ukrainian lives were being lost because Washington was withholding intelligence sharing with Kyiv.
Rubio's comments followed remarks from Serhii Flash Beskrestnov, a military technical adviser to Zelensky, who informed reporters that inconsistent US early warnings had led to preventable casualties. Relations between Kyiv and the United States have deteriorated recently to the point where Trump suggested that Ukraine needed a fresh leader to handle negotiations. Støre explained that the primary objective of the Oslo summit is to guide relations back toward a productive direction and secure a diplomatic resolution resulting in a lasting peace.
Zelensky previously stated that he engaged in a productive dialogue with Rubio concerning the critical need for early warning systems, missile interceptors, and the Starlink satellite internet network. Recent weeks have seen US lawmakers demand investigations into Starlink disruptions, alongside unconfirmed reports regarding delayed approvals for additional Patriot interceptor missiles. While visiting India, Rubio acknowledged that Patriot shipments might not have reached Ukraine yet, though he insisted that nothing was being purposefully withheld from Kyiv.
Witkoff is scheduled to participate in the Oslo talks alongside video contributions from presidential adviser Jared Kushner and various European leaders, including Finnish President Alexander Stubb alongside representatives from Britain, Poland, France, Germany, the European Union, and NATO. Speculation remains over whether Witkoff might travel to Russia following the Norway discussions, with Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov expressing hope for a future meeting with the US special envoy and praising American mediation efforts.
European officials have voiced apprehension regarding recent diplomatic signals emanating from Washington toward Moscow. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz highlighted the complex messaging surrounding the conflict and emphasized that European nations have been carrying the financial burden of Ukraine's defense since early 2025. Meanwhile, US Vice President JD Vance remarked in a television interview that while Kyiv remains a partner, the two nations occasionally experience divergent strategic interests regarding targets such as Russian energy infrastructure, while reiterating that Ukraine is not a formal treaty ally of the United States.