Witkoff plans Ukraine peace talks in Norway, Putin meeting in Russia

U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff is set to embark on a trip to Norway and Russia in order to engage in peace talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and European officials, according to a report by Reuters on October 19. The Oslo-based discussions are expected to feature Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, representatives from Britain, France, Germany, Poland, the European Union, and NATO, as well as a remote participation from Jared Kushner due to illness.

The tentative schedule could still undergo changes. These upcoming talks with Putin are anticipated to revolve around the release of American citizen Stephen Hubbard, who was detained by Russia while serving with a Ukrainian territorial defense unit in Izium, Kharkiv Oblast, since 2022. The planned negotiations follow a phone call between Zelensky, Witkoff, and Kushner on October 18, where they deliberated on potential steps towards a peace agreement.

Zelensky also suggested a potential suspension of Ukrainian attacks on Russian oil infrastructure in return for additional American-made Patriot interceptor missiles to bolster their defense against Russian ballistic missile strikes. This proposal comes amid mounting tensions over U.S. military support for Ukraine, as Washington urges Kyiv to cease targeting Russian oil refineries.

However, Ukrainian officials have expressed concerns to the Kyiv Independent that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has yet to authorize the transfer of a substantial batch of Patriot interceptor missiles, despite them having been purchased by Ukraine's allies. NATO officials have confirmed that deliveries of such equipment, including air defense systems, are still ongoing, while a U.S. government official contradicts Ukraine's allegations.