Zelensky and Witkoff hold Norway talks amid strained US-Ukraine ties
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff in Norway, with Norway's prime minister and Finland's president also taking part. The talks come as Kyiv accuses Washington of restricting intelligence sharing, which Secretary of State Marco Rubio denies.
By Standard Topic. AI-generated from the reporting listed under Coverage. Published . Updated .
What happened
Ukraine and the United States are at odds over intelligence sharing, arms shipments and how to end the war, as Russian strikes hit Kyiv and other cities. Trump has publicly criticized President Volodymyr Zelensky and said Russia has been "fine" on Ukraine. Zelensky has now met U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff in Norway, with the prime minister of Norway and Finland's president also taking part.
Why it matters
A Zelensky adviser told the BBC that Ukrainians are dying because the U.S. is restricting intelligence sharing, which has not left enough time to warn people of incoming missiles. Rubio has said there was no U.S. pause in that sharing.
Timeline
- Oct 19, 4:58 AM ET: Rubio said there was no U.S. pause in intelligence sharing with Ukraine, which relies on it to spot fast-moving ballistic missiles.
- Oct 19, 2:23 PM ET: Zelensky adviser Serhii Beskrestnov said Ukrainians are dying because of restricted U.S. intelligence sharing and there has not been enough time to issue warnings.
- Oct 19, 4:25 PM ET: Trump said Russia has been "fine on Ukraine," hours after a Russian drone strike in a public park killed six people, including two children.
- Oct 20, 2:23 AM ET: Trump called for Zelenskyy to be replaced as negotiator, while Ukraine's president said arms shipments were being delayed.
- Oct 20, 10:14 AM ET: Zelensky met Witkoff in Norway as U.S.-Ukraine ties soured, with talks also involving the Norwegian prime minister and Finnish president.
Coverage
- Zelensky meets Trump envoy Witkoff in Norway as US-Ukraine ties sour (Kyiv Independent)
- Kremlin Hopes Witkoff Will ‘Brief’ Putin on Talks With Ukraine and Europe (The Moscow Times)
- Zelenskyy to hold talks on Russia-Ukraine war with Witkoff, Europeans (Al Jazeera)
- Witkoff plans Ukraine peace talks in Norway, Putin meeting in Russia (Kyiv Independent)
- Trump defends easing Russia sanctions amid Ukraine feud
- Rubio denies US paused intelligence sharing with Ukraine
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