The key facts

  • Zelensky: Ukraine is not losing the war, but is losing people and time due to Russian attacks
  • A meeting was held in Oslo with the participation of US envoy Steve Witkoff; Jared Kushner joined online
  • Kyiv proposes a trilateral meeting of the leaders of Ukraine, Russia and the US; Witkoff is heading to Russia

Statement in Oslo

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky said on Tuesday at a press conference in Oslo that Ukraine is not losing the war with Russia, but is losing people and time due to ongoing Russian attacks. “Of course, we are not losing this war, but we are losing people... and because Russia is attacking, we are losing people and time,” he said, adding that Ukrainian children are being deprived of their childhood. He emphasized the need to end the conflict as soon as possible.

Meeting with American representatives

The conference was held together with Finnish President Alexander Stubb and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre. According to Zelensky, US envoy Steve Witkoff took part in the meeting in Oslo, and Jared Kushner, the son-in-law of President Donald Trump, joined online. “Sensitive points,” security guarantees, and Ukraine's post-war reconstruction were discussed.

Readiness for negotiations and the energy truce

Zelensky stated that Ukraine is ready for negotiations and supports exploring various ceasefire formats for de-escalation: “We want to end this war as quickly as possible.” He noted that Kyiv supported the American proposal for an energy truce, but accused Russia of continuing attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure. According to him, Ukraine proposed not striking sensitive targets in Russia's energy sector if Moscow stops attacks on Ukrainian ones.

Trilateral meeting of leaders

Zelensky said that Ukraine and European partners have developed proposals to advance peace efforts, including a possible trilateral meeting of the leaders of Ukraine, Russia and the US. “We have clear ideas on how to achieve peace. We are united with our European partners and want the Americans to convey these ideas to the Russians. One important idea is moving toward a potential trilateral meeting of leaders to resolve issues that only leaders can resolve,” he said. He added that Witkoff is traveling to Russia the next day: “We will see what Putin says.”

Conversation with Rubio and intelligence

Zelensky said that on Tuesday he had a “very positive” conversation with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, discussing the Starlink connection, interceptor missiles for air defense, and intelligence sharing; the parties agreed to speak again within 48 hours. He noted that Ukraine receives intelligence from the US, including an early warning system for launches of Russian ballistic missiles, and that Washington's support is important for protecting civilians.

On the legitimacy of negotiations and Iran

Zelensky stated that any discussion of Ukraine's future without Kyiv's participation cannot be legitimate. “I don't know what the trilateral meeting between America, China and Russia will be like. That is their business. But if it concerns Ukraine, our future, it can only be acceptable when we are at the negotiating table,” he said. Asked whether Putin is using Moscow's ties with Iran as leverage over Trump, Zelensky replied that he does not know, but believes that Russia supported Tehran during the ongoing war, including supplying drones and sharing intelligence.