The key facts

  • Zelensky and Witkoff discussed ending the war in Oslo; Witkoff is to meet Putin on October 21 in St. Petersburg
  • Trump said he is ready for a trilateral meeting with Xi Jinping and Putin during his November trip to Asia
  • Britain is sending Typhoon fighter jets to Saudi Arabia to protect against Houthi attacks — for defensive purposes only

Ukraine talks: Oslo, St. Petersburg and Rubio's statements

On October 20, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky held a meeting in Oslo with US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff dedicated to ending the war. Representatives of the European Union and NATO also took part in the talks. 'We continue to maintain all contacts that can help bring peace,' Zelensky said upon arrival in Oslo. According to Axios, on October 21 Witkoff arrives in St. Petersburg for a meeting with Vladimir Putin, where he will present an updated plan for ending the war discussed in Oslo. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who is in Mumbai, acknowledged that a batch of air defense missiles paid for by Europeans for Ukraine may not have been delivered, but stressed that there was no political motive behind it. Relations between Kyiv and Washington are straining after the announcement on October 9 of a US-Russia agreement on diesel fuel.

Trump floated a trilateral meeting with Xi Jinping and Putin

US President Donald Trump said he is ready to hold a trilateral meeting with PRC Chairman Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin during his trip to Asia next month. According to him, nuclear weapons and disarmament could be discussed at the meeting, and he would agree if Xi wants it. Earlier, official Moscow reported a possible meeting of the three leaders on the sidelines of a summit in China. According to WSJ, Putin intends to use such a meeting without Zelensky to achieve a peace agreement favorable to Moscow.

Britain sends fighter jets to protect Saudi Arabia

The United Kingdom is sending Typhoon fighter jets to protect Saudi Arabia's cities and key infrastructure from Houthi air attacks. According to the UK Ministry of Defence, the Royal Air Force jets will perform exclusively defensive functions and will not take part in strikes against the Houthis. London emphasizes that Houthi attacks threaten regional stability and create a risk of disruption to energy supplies and trade routes. 'The ongoing Houthi attacks on our ally Saudi Arabia are absolutely appalling,' said the UK Defence Secretary. According to Reuters, the assistance is being provided in response to a request from the Saudi government. In addition to the fighter jets, the UK will send an A400M 'Atlas' transport aircraft and military advisers to Saudi Arabia. As part of the assistance announced in September, Britain has already sent a 'Voyager' air-to-air refueling aircraft, but fighter jets were not mentioned at the time.