Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre said U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff would take ideas from Oslo and proposals developed by U.S. and European officials to Russian leaders as diplomacy over Ukraine continued.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met Støre and Finnish President Alexander Stubb in Oslo on Oct. 20. Witkoff attended in person, while U.S. envoy Jared Kushner joined by video. Ukraine had asked Norway and Finland to arrange the meeting and requested both envoys’ participation, as earlier coverage of the talks detailed.
Støre said the discussions spanned Ukraine’s security, its postwar economy, territory, sanctions and security across Europe. Ukraine’s presidential office said security guarantees were considered. Stubb said participants also addressed air defense, energy and a possible partial ceasefire, according to the office.
Zelenskyy said Ukraine had offered to limit strikes on sensitive parts of Russia’s energy sector if Moscow halted similar attacks on Ukraine. He said Russian President Vladimir Putin had rejected the offer.
Zelenskyy also proposed a later meeting with the U.S. and Russian leaders to address issues he said required decisions at the highest level. Støre described the Oslo talks as “good and constructive” and said the diplomatic effort would continue.
Støre said Witkoff planned to travel to St. Petersburg on Oct. 21 to discuss the ideas and proposals with Russian leaders. Ukraine’s presidential office said he would brief Kyiv after those contacts.
