Zelenskyj varsler USA-møte i Norge

Ukrainas president Volodymyr Zelenskyj announced that Ukrainian and American negotiators could meet in Norway within the next few days. In a video on X, Zelenskyj stated that he had been in contact with Trump's advisers on Sunday. He expressed hope for a meeting with Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, possibly in Norway within the upcoming days.

The diplomat process involves discussing much, especially anything related to Russia, according to Zelenskyj. According to Reuters news agency sources, it is expected that President Zelenskyj himself will attend the potential meeting. Reuters reports that Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff plan to travel to Norway this week to speak with Ukrainian negotiators.

The news agency cites three unnamed sources familiar with the matter. Kushner and Witkoff are special envoys of Trump and have previously participated in negotiations with parties in conflicts in both Ukraine and the Middle East. Notably, while reporting Zelenskyj's statement, the news agency also shared that US President Donald Trump had spoken with reporters outside the White House.

"It's time for other negotiators with Russia on behalf of Ukraine," Trump told the gathered press. VG contacted the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which has not yet responded. Chief researcher Tor Bukkvoll from the Defence Research Institute (FFI) believes Norway can be a natural venue as both Ukraine and the US trust the country.

Even though Trump was disappointed not to receive the Nobel Peace Prize, Bukkvoll thinks the US still trusts Norway. "There is some fear on the Ukrainian side that Trump, Putin and Xi will make decisions that affect Ukraine," Bukkvoll notes. He points out that relations between Trump and Zelenskyj have always been difficult, and that Ukraine is particularly disappointed with the US handling of Russia.

Bukkvoll believes Zelenskyj wants to ensure Ukraine is heard and that the US does not withdraw military support. "Ukraine receives a lot of help from Europe and is not as dependent on the Americans," he says. In a dailies video revealing the potential meeting, Zelenskyj also addressed urgent challenges: Ukraine lacks intelligence to detect incoming attacks and is short on Patriot batteries to intercept threats.

The potential meeting in Norway comes after days of increasing tension between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj and US President Donald Trump. Zelenskyj has accused the US of pressuring Ukraine into capitulation and claimed the Americans were behind limitations in Starlink's network, a claim the US denies. Meanwhile, the two presidents have been at odds over US weapons support and Ukraine's strikes on Russian oil refineries. Norway has been one of Ukraine's biggest supporters since Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022.