Witkoff and Kushner plan Norway talks on Ukraine war; Zelensky expected to attend
US special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are planning to visit Norway this week for a new round of negotiations on ending the war in Ukraine, Reuters reported citing three sources. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is expected to take part, with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre and representatives of the UK, France, Germany, Poland, the EU and NATO also reported as participants. Witkoff is separately expected to meet Vladimir Putin in Russia after the Oslo meeting. The White House had not officially commented at the time of reporting, and the schedule was described as preliminary.
Key points
- Trump's special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner plan to visit Norway this week for a new round of talks on ending the war in Ukraine.
- Reuters cited three sources familiar with the situation; the schedule is preliminary and subject to change.
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is expected to participate, along with Norwegian PM Jonas Gahr Støre and representatives of the UK, France, Germany, Poland, the EU and NATO.
- Kushner was expected to join remotely due to illness.
- Witkoff separately planned a meeting with Vladimir Putin in Russia, with Ukraine-related issues and the release of American prisoner Steven Hubbard reportedly on the agenda.
- The previous round of US–Ukraine talks took place on 9 October in Miami and ended after six hours, cut short following Trump's announcement of a diesel deal with Putin.
- Tensions over US restrictions on Starshield satellite communications, intelligence sharing and the delivery of a PURL weapons package reportedly approved by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth run alongside the talks.
- The White House had not officially commented on the planned trip at the time of reporting.
Why it matters
The Norway meeting is the next step in US-led efforts to negotiate an end to the war in Ukraine, and the expected participation of Zelensky, several European governments, the EU and NATO suggests both Washington and Kyiv view it as substantive. A parallel US channel to Putin via Witkoff points to simultaneous diplomatic tracks. The talks unfold against reported US restrictions on Starshield satellite communications, intelligence sharing and delayed arms deliveries that have raised tensions with Kyiv.
What happened
Reuters reported, citing three sources familiar with the preparations, that US special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are planning to visit Norway this week for a new round of negotiations on ending the war in Ukraine. Two of the sources said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is expected to take part. The Oslo meetings were reported to also include Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre and representatives of the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Poland, the European Union and NATO. Kushner was expected to join remotely because he is ill. The schedule was described as preliminary and subject to change, and the White House had not officially commented at the time of reporting. Separately, Witkoff is reported to plan a meeting with Vladimir Putin in Russia after Oslo; topics were said to include Ukraine-related issues and the release of American prisoner Steven Hubbard.
How Ukrainian sources describe it
Ukrainian outlets presented the Norway meeting as substantive negotiations with direct Ukrainian presidential participation and a broad European and NATO presence at the table. They placed the trip in the context of what they describe as US pressure on Kyiv, including restrictions on Starshield satellite communications, reduced intelligence sharing and delays to deliveries of Patriot interceptor missiles paid for by other countries. Ukrainian reporting also gave prominence to the accusation that Trump is pushing Ukraine toward capitulation before Russia, alongside Trump's public criticism of Zelensky.
How international sources describe it
The international reporting centered on the logistics and participants of the Norway visit itself, presented as the next round of US-led talks aimed at ending the war. Coverage gave less prominence to the underlying US–Ukraine tensions over Starshield restrictions, intelligence sharing and weapons deliveries that frame the meeting in Ukrainian outlets.
Background
The previous round of US–Ukraine talks took place on 9 October in Miami and lasted six hours before being cut short on the same day Trump announced a diesel deal with Putin. On 11 October Trump declared an energy ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia, but the Financial Times reported Ukraine was unaware of the announcement; Axios said it covered only strikes on oil refineries. Zelensky has accused the Trump administration of slowing Starshield, cutting intelligence sharing and delaying Patriot deliveries; US officials deny those claims. SpaceX CEO Elon Musk said on X that any Starshield speed or usage limits are set by the US military or the US president. On 18 October Zelensky reported a phone call with Witkoff and Kushner in which he discussed the outcomes of the Florida talks.