Kyiv: US presidential envoy Steve Witkoff arrived in St Petersburg on Wednesday for planned talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, following discussions with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Norway as Washington seeks progress towards ending the war in Ukraine.
The diplomatic efforts come amid uncertainty over the future of US support for Ukraine, disagreements over military assistance and continued Russian attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure. US President Donald Trump has urged Zelenskyy to reach an agreement with Moscow, while Kyiv is seeking security guarantees to protect the country against future aggression.
Witkoff met Zelenskyy in Oslo on Tuesday, October 20, during discussions that also involved Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre and Finnish President Alexander Stubb. Jared Kushner, Trump's son in law and diplomatic adviser, joined the discussions remotely.
A US official described the Oslo talks as constructive and said meaningful progress had been made towards coordinating the approach to Russia. The discussions reportedly covered possible security guarantees for Ukraine, plans for its economic recovery after the war and wider European security arrangements.
However, the details of any proposed agreement have not been fully disclosed. It remains unclear whether Russia will accept the proposals being discussed by Washington and Kyiv, and no peace agreement has been announced.
Zelenskyy has called for continued diplomatic engagement and raised the possibility of a meeting involving the leaders concerned to address outstanding issues. Such a meeting remains a proposal, rather than a confirmed event.
The discussions are taking place amid strained relations between Trump and Zelenskyy. Trump has criticised the Ukrainian president and argued that Russia holds a military advantage in the conflict. He has also pressed Ukraine to pursue a settlement, raising concerns in Kyiv and among some European allies about the future direction of US policy.
Ukraine, meanwhile, has stressed the need for reliable security arrangements that would help prevent Russia from launching another attack after a ceasefire or peace agreement.
Zelenskyy has referred to security guarantees resembling Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, which establishes a collective defence commitment among NATO members. Such guarantees could provide Ukraine with greater protection against future aggression. However, the discussions do not mean that Ukraine has been granted NATO membership or that an equivalent binding commitment has been agreed.
Military assistance remains another important issue in relations between Washington and Kyiv. Ukraine relies on advanced air defence systems, intelligence and other military capabilities to defend its cities and infrastructure against Russian missile and drone attacks.
Zelenskyy recently raised concerns about delays in receiving Patriot air defence interceptors and said Ukraine had not received sufficient early warnings before recent Russian ballistic missile attacks. He later reported that early warning intelligence was working again.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio acknowledged disagreements over intelligence and weapons deliveries but rejected claims that the US administration had deliberately changed its policy to harm Ukraine. The precise extent of the reported restrictions and the timetable for delayed military deliveries remain unclear.
Concerns have also been raised about satellite communications used by Ukrainian forces. The dispute involves Starlink, a satellite internet service, and Starshield, a separate system designed for government and military use. Reports of restrictions affecting some military applications have raised concerns about their operational impact, but the precise scope of the problems remains unclear.
Energy security is another issue in the diplomatic discussions. Zelenskyy has said Ukraine was willing to stop attacks on sensitive parts of Russia's energy infrastructure if Moscow stopped striking Ukrainian energy facilities. He also said Russia had rejected the proposed arrangement. The proposal highlights the difficulty of securing even limited agreements to protect critical infrastructure while the wider conflict continues.
The diplomatic effort is also unfolding alongside changes in US policy towards Russia. A White House order issued on October 16 waived specified sanctions provisions under a 2026 US law relating to Russia and Iran. The scope of the measure is limited to the provisions covered by the order and should not be interpreted as the removal of all US sanctions against Russia.
While diplomatic contacts continue, fighting has not stopped. Russian attacks have continued to affect Ukrainian cities, energy facilities and transport infrastructure, creating further risks for civilians as the country approaches winter.
Damage to electricity supplies is particularly concerning because households depend on reliable power for heating and other essential services during the colder months. Ukraine's air defence needs and the protection of its energy infrastructure therefore remain central to the country's security concerns.
For European countries, the outcome of the diplomatic effort could have wider consequences for regional security and future relations with Russia. Norway and Finland's participation in the Oslo discussions reflects the importance of European involvement in decisions that could affect the continent's security.
The immediate focus is now on Witkoff's planned talks with Putin and whether the Russian leadership will engage with the proposals discussed in Oslo. The discussions could help clarify the positions of Moscow and Kyiv, but the main questions surrounding security guarantees, territorial issues and the terms of a possible ceasefire remain unresolved.
For now, diplomatic efforts are continuing alongside the fighting, with no confirmed peace agreement. The outcome of the planned talks in Russia may indicate whether Washington can bring the two sides closer to negotiations capable of producing a lasting settlement.