Zelensky backs US-proposed three-way talks after meeting Witkoff in Norway
In short
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met US envoy Steve Witkoff in Norway on 20 October and called for a three-way summit with the US and Russia. On 21 October Zelensky said he supports a US proposal for three-nation working-level talks, which he expects by early November at the latest.
Read the full story 2 min read
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met US envoy Steve Witkoff on 20 October in Norway, Sankei Shimbun and Yomiuri Shimbun reported. Yomiuri placed the meeting in Oslo. Norway's prime minister Støre and Finnish President Stubb attended, and Jared Kushner, son-in-law of US President Donald Trump, took part remotely, according to Sankei and Yomiuri. Zelensky called for a three-nation summit of the US, Russia and Ukraine, according to NHK and Yomiuri. [ 3 , 4 , 5 ]
At a press conference afterwards, Zelensky said he has a clear idea for peace with Russia and asked Witkoff to pass Ukraine's proposals to the Russian side, Yomiuri reported. He said the US had resumed providing information on Russian attacks and thanked the US, according to Sankei. Yomiuri quoted him as saying the information sharing was working again. Sankei added that Zelensky expressed hope that restrictions on the military version of the Starlink service would soon be lifted. [ 4 , 5 ]
Yomiuri said a view had recently spread that the US had limited sharing of information on Russian ballistic missile launches. It quoted Zelensky as having complained that measures were being taken to force Ukraine to surrender. Before the meeting, Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with Zelensky by phone and said the US had not limited its support measures. He also denied to reporters any deliberate delay in supplying interceptor missiles and any reduction in information sharing, according to Yomiuri. [ 5 ]
The New York Times reported on 20 October that Russian President Vladimir Putin would meet Witkoff and Kushner on 21 October in St Petersburg, and that the release of Americans imprisoned in Russia was also expected to be discussed, Sankei said. Sankei added that the Russian news agency TASS also said the two would visit Russia on 21 October. [ 4 ]
On 21 October Zelensky told reporters that after Witkoff's meeting with Putin he had spoken with US government officials, TBS reported. He said the US proposed three-nation working-level talks as early as possible, that Ukraine supports this, and that the talks would happen by early November at the latest. He also said he would support any proposal to stop attacks on energy facilities and end the fighting. [ 8 ]
Nikkei reported that multiple media said on 21 October that Putin agreed in principle to Witkoff's proposal to resume peace talks with Ukraine with US involvement, possibly as early as November. Nikkei said hopes for ceasefire talks weighed on New York crude oil futures, with the WTI December contract closing at 97.15 dollars a barrel, down 0.67 dollars. Nishi-Nippon Shimbun's headline said Russia was keen on resuming three-nation talks and that Ukraine backed the US proposal. [ 6 , 7 ]
Why it matters
Japanese outlets reported that the talks could restart Russia-Ukraine peace negotiations with US involvement. Nikkei said the prospect of ceasefire talks weighed on oil prices on 21 October.
Key facts
- Zelensky met US envoy Witkoff on 20 October in Norway; Norway's prime minister and Finland's president attended, and Jared Kushner joined remotely. [ 4 , 5 ]
- Zelensky called for a three-nation summit of the US, Russia and Ukraine. [ 3 , 5 ]
- Zelensky said after the meeting that the US had resumed providing Ukraine with information on Russian attacks. [ 4 , 5 ]
- Witkoff was due to visit Russia on 21 October. [ 3 , 4 , 5 ]
- On 21 October Zelensky said he supports a US proposal for three-nation working-level talks as early as possible, and expects them by early November at the latest. [ 8 ]
- Multiple media reported on 21 October that Putin agreed in principle to resume peace talks with US involvement, possibly as early as November, according to Nikkei. [ 6 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- Zelensky met Witkoff in Norway on 20 October, with Kushner taking part remotely and the Norwegian and Finnish leaders present. [ 4 , 5 ]
- Zelensky called for a three-nation summit including Russia. [ 3 , 5 ]
- Zelensky said the US information-sharing on Russian attacks was working again, and thanked the US. [ 4 , 5 ]
- Witkoff was to go to Russia on 21 October. [ 3 , 4 , 5 ]
Still unclear
- Whether and when three-nation talks will take place. Zelensky said they would happen by early November at the latest; Nikkei said they could be held as early as November, citing media reports.
- Whether the proposal is for a leaders' summit or working-level talks. On 20 October Zelensky called for a summit of leaders (docs 3 and 5), while on 21 October he spoke of working-level talks (doc 8).
- Putin's agreement in principle to resume talks. Nikkei attributes this to multiple media reports and does not name a source.
- When restrictions on the military version of Starlink service will be lifted. Sankei says only that Zelensky expressed hope it would be lifted soon.
- Whether the US limited intelligence sharing with Ukraine. Yomiuri says a view had spread that it did, while Secretary of State Rubio denied deliberately reducing information sharing or delaying interceptor missiles.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- Zelensky meets Witkoff in Norway, with Kushner joining remotely. [ 4 , 5 ]
- Sankei reports Zelensky's statement that the US resumed sharing information on Russian attacks. [ 4 ]
- Yomiuri reports Zelensky's call for a three-nation summit and Witkoff's planned visit to Russia on 21 October. [ 5 ]
- Nikkei reports that oil futures fell on 21 October on hopes for Russia-Ukraine ceasefire talks. [ 6 ]
- TBS reports Zelensky's support for the US proposal for three-nation working-level talks. [ 8 ]