U.S. envoy Witkoff to meet Putin, Trump presses Kyiv to settle

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky commenced discussions with US envoy Steve Witkoff in Oslo on Tuesday, part of diplomatic efforts to halt Russia's invasion of Ukraine, amid escalating tensions between Kiev and Washington. Zelensky announced plans for multiple meetings, including three-way talks with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre and Finnish President Alexander Stubb, a separate encounter with Witkoff, and a subsequent four-way discussion.

Expressing gratitude for support from all parties aiming for a dignified peace, Zelensky emphasized the importance of the talks. Jared Kushner, Donald Trump's son-in-law and a crucial White House figure in conflict resolution efforts, is anticipated to join the discussions remotely. Norwegian news agency NTB reported that Støre hopes the Oslo meeting will redirect diplomatic efforts toward a more constructive path.

Witkoff is set to travel to Moscow post-meeting to share the outcomes of the discussions. This Oslo meeting is part of a renewed diplomatic push by Trump, who has recently been trying to reach an understanding with Moscow while intensifying pressure on Ukraine. In a Washington speech on Monday, Trump criticized Zelensky, stating he was "not really helping" the war-ending efforts.

Additionally, Trump recently described Ukraine's long-range strikes on Russian oil facilities as a "disgrace," attributing them to rising US energy costs – a concern impacting his Republican Party's election prospects in the upcoming month.