The key facts
- Mikhail Khodarenok believes the Russian offensive will be intensified and strikes on the Ukrainian Armed Forces and defense industry will increase
- On October 20, talks were held in Oslo with the participation of Zelensky, Witkoff, Store and Stubb
- Putin will receive Witkoff on October 21 at the Konstantinovsky Palace; the main topic is conflict settlement
Military columnist's forecast
Military columnist for Gazeta.Ru, retired colonel Mikhail Khodarenok stated that Russia will accelerate the offensive of its armed forces in Ukraine and increase the intensity of strikes on the country's defense facilities amid the intensification of US shuttle diplomacy to settle the crisis. 'Undoubtedly, the offensive will be intensified, accelerated, reinforced, if one can put it that way. The intensity of strikes on the Ukrainian armed forces, on the facilities of Ukraine's defense-industrial complex will only increase all these days. This will be seen as an argument that should push Ukraine toward some decision on concluding peace agreements,' he emphasized.
Talks in Oslo
On October 20, talks between Ukraine, the US and Europe took place in Oslo. They were attended by Volodymyr Zelensky, US representative Steve Witkoff, Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store and Finnish President Alexander Stubb. The Ukrainian leader stated the need to hold a trilateral meeting with the US president and the president of Russia.
Witkoff's visit to Russia
Aide to the President of the Russian Federation Yuri Ushakov reported on Wednesday that Vladimir Putin will receive Steve Witkoff at the Konstantinovsky Palace in the first half of the day on October 21. The main topic of the meeting will be the settlement of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict. Earlier, the Federation Council responded to Zelensky regarding his proposal for a trilateral meeting on Ukraine.
