U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff plans to discuss ideas raised in Oslo and earlier peace proposals with Russian leaders on Oct. 21, making Moscow’s response the next step in the talks over Ukraine.
Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre said Witkoff planned to travel to St. Petersburg. He did not identify the Russian leaders Witkoff expected to meet.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met Finnish President Alexander Stubb and Støre in Oslo on Oct. 20. At a separate joint meeting, Witkoff participated in person and U.S. envoy Jared Kushner joined remotely. Norway said Ukraine had requested the Americans’ participation.
Støre said the discussions covered Ukraine’s security, territory, sanctions, plans for prosperity after the war and European security. He distinguished ideas raised at the Oslo meeting from proposals developed earlier by European and American colleagues. Witkoff planned to discuss both with Russian leaders, Støre said.
Zelenskyy said Ukraine was prepared to stop striking sensitive Russian energy sites if Russia stopped attacking Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. He said Russian President Vladimir Putin had rejected the offer. Stubb also discussed a partial ceasefire to protect energy and food security, according to Ukraine’s presidential office.
The three leaders had met on Sept. 23, when Norway said they discussed Russian strikes and the prospects for a full or partial ceasefire. Norway also said it would allocate NOK 85 billion to Ukraine in 2027, mostly for military support, with air defense a priority.
The latest meetings followed remarks aired Oct. 19 in which President Donald Trump said someone other than Zelenskyy should negotiate for Ukraine. Støre said decisions about Ukraine must include Kyiv.
Witkoff’s planned discussions in St. Petersburg are the next opportunity for Russian leaders to respond to the ideas and proposals. Støre said those talks might help prepare a meeting among heads of state.
