The key facts
- Norwegian Prime Minister Støre expects Witkoff's return to Oslo on October 21 and hopes to receive information about the outcome of the meeting with Putin.
- The day before, Witkoff held talks in Oslo with Zelensky and the Europeans on territorial issues, security guarantees, and sanctions.
- Politico reported on a possible trilateral meeting of Putin, Trump, and Zelensky; Witkoff himself did not confirm this.
Expectation of return to Oslo
US presidential special envoy Steve Witkoff is expected to return to Oslo on October 21 after talks with Vladimir Putin in St. Petersburg. This was reported by Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre. According to him, the Norwegian authorities expect to receive information from the American representative about the outcome of the meeting with the Russian leader. “We may meet him at the airport. We hope to receive information from him,” Støre said.
Consultations with Zelensky and the Europeans
The day before, Witkoff held talks in Oslo with Volodymyr Zelensky and representatives of European states. The participants discussed possible conditions for ending the Ukrainian conflict, including territorial issues, security guarantees, and sanctions. Støre described the consultations as constructive.
Meeting in St. Petersburg
On the morning of October 21, Witkoff arrived in St. Petersburg, where a meeting with Putin is scheduled at the Constantine Palace. The main topic will be the Ukrainian settlement. Witkoff is expected to present Moscow with proposals prepared based on the results of consultations with Kyiv and European partners.
Possible trilateral meeting in question
Politico reported on a possible proposal to hold a trilateral meeting of Putin, Trump, and Zelensky. Witkoff himself did not confirm such plans. In addition, Trump the day before suggested that agreements could be reached without a personal meeting between the Russian and Ukrainian leaders.
Previous contacts
On September 5, Putin had already received Witkoff and Jared Kushner in the Kremlin; the conversation lasted three hours and ten minutes, and Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov called it substantive and confidential. The prospects for settling the conflict and Russian-American relations were discussed then. On October 9, Putin and Trump held a phone call in which they confirmed their intention to maintain direct dialogue and interaction through the administrations, intelligence services, and relevant agencies of the two countries.
