The key facts
- Zelensky: the US is once again passing Kyiv data on Russian ballistic missile launches
- Restrictions on Starlink, according to him, are expected to be lifted within 48 hours
- Witkoff will travel to St. Petersburg on October 21; the Kremlin is ready to hear the results of the consultations
Resumption of intelligence sharing
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky stated at a press conference in Oslo after talks with the US President's special envoy Steve Witkoff that the US has resumed transferring intelligence data to Ukraine. According to him, Kyiv is once again receiving information from Washington about Russian ballistic missile launches. Zelensky thanked the American side for restoring the early warning system that allows Ukrainian forces to learn in advance about approaching threats.
Starlink and weapons issues
Restrictions on the use of satellite communications remain in place for now. Zelensky expects that full Starlink operation can be restored within two days. Earlier, he complained about disruptions to Starlink and Starshield, as well as a shortage of interceptor missiles for American Patriot air defense systems. He previously discussed these issues with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio: the talks covered arms supplies, intelligence sharing, and the restoration of satellite communications, on which the operation of a number of Ukrainian Armed Forces systems depends.
Outcome of the Oslo talks and next steps
Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre called the talks in Oslo constructive. He said that on October 21 Witkoff will travel to St. Petersburg to discuss with the Russian side the proposals prepared at the meeting with Kyiv and European partners.
Background and the Kremlin's position
Earlier, Life.ru reported that Zelensky appealed to Marco Rubio demanding the restoration of full Starlink operation and the transfer of intelligence data on ballistic attacks. As early as October 18, the Ukrainian politician claimed that the US had resumed intelligence sharing after a three-day pause, noting that Washington has early detection capabilities for ballistic missile launches that Kyiv's European allies do not have. The Kremlin, according to press secretary Dmitry Peskov, expects an early meeting between Vladimir Putin and Steve Witkoff after the American mediator's talks in Oslo and is ready to hear the results of US consultations with Kyiv and European countries. The exact time and place of Putin's meeting with American representatives at the Kremlin have not yet been confirmed.
