Finnish President Alexander Stubb identified air defense and energy infrastructure as immediate priorities in Ukraine peace discussions as U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff prepared to take Kyiv-backed ideas to Russia.
Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre said Witkoff was due to meet Russian leaders in St. Petersburg on Oct. 21. The envoy would convey ideas discussed in Oslo with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, along with proposals shaped by U.S. and European teams, Støre said.
Ukraine’s presidential office said Kyiv supported the ideas it wanted Witkoff to convey. The visit follows earlier plans for Witkoff to bring Oslo proposals to Russian officials.
Stubb said the talks also covered limited cease-fires involving energy and food security. He described progress in the technical discussions and said Finland wanted to help sustain dialogue involving Washington, Kyiv and Moscow while respecting international law.
Støre said participants considered territorial questions and sanctions, as well as Ukraine’s security and its economy after the war. He argued that Europe needed a central role in peace efforts because the outcome would shape its future security arrangements.
Støre said the Russian contacts could help prepare a meeting among national leaders. No date was given for such a meeting. Ukraine’s presidential office said Witkoff would brief Kyiv after his talks with Russian leaders.
