The key facts

  • Zelensky thanked the US for resuming early warnings about ballistic strikes
  • Zelensky said Starshield connectivity could be restored 'within 48 hours'
  • Witkoff is heading to St. Petersburg for a meeting with the Russian leadership

Resumption of intelligence sharing

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Oslo on Tuesday welcomed the resumption of intelligence sharing with the US about impending Russian strikes. 'We are grateful that intelligence is working... I am talking about early warning, which is very important for our people, for children, adults, civilians, because we can hear when a ballistic missile is approaching,' he told journalists. Earlier, Zelensky had accused the US of deliberately withholding important intelligence: according to him, on Monday Ukraine received no warning about powerful Russian missile strikes on energy facilities in the capital region. The US denied any changes in intelligence sharing with Ukraine.

Meetings with American envoys

Zelensky held meetings with US envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner — the son-in-law of President Donald Trump, who participated remotely. According to the Ukrainian leader, 'it is important that we continue the conversation... and work together on the solutions needed to end this war.' He also held 'substantive' and 'constructive' talks with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, during which he insisted on restoring the Starshield system and deliveries of ballistic missile interceptors 'to protect lives.' The meeting took place in the presence of Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre and Finnish President Alexander Stubb. Zelensky emphasized that 'Ukraine wants peace more than anyone.'

Starshield and military aid

Ukraine had reported a slowdown in the Starshield system — an American military satellite network used for battlefield communications and strikes on occupied territories. Trump denied ordering the slowdown, after Elon Musk, whose company SpaceX developed the system, said such an order could only have come from the White House. In Oslo, Zelensky said: 'we decided that, possibly, in 48 hours connectivity will be back.' On Monday he told American senators that 'the Pentagon is delaying the delivery of missiles' paid for by European countries, and that shipment awaits the signature of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. According to him, several European countries are ready to transfer Patriot interceptors from their stockpiles but are awaiting US approval.

Kyiv–Washington relations

Relations between Kyiv and Washington deteriorated after Trump partially lifted sanctions to conclude a deal with Vladimir Putin on diesel fuel supplies and called Zelensky a 'warmonger' over Ukrainian attacks on Russian oil refineries. Trump in Washington said he wants Zelensky to 'make a deal' with Russia and accused him of making no attempts to settle the conflict. US diplomatic efforts to end the deadliest conflict in Europe since World War II have stalled in recent months amid Washington's shift in focus to the war with Iran.

Possible Trump meeting with Putin and Xi

Trump said he is ready to meet with Putin and Chinese leader Xi Jinping in China next month to discuss denuclearization, adding that the talks could also touch on the Ukrainian issue — which caused fears in Kyiv of being sidelined. Zelensky insisted on Tuesday: 'I don't know what the trilateral meeting between America, China and Russia will be about, that is their business. But, of course, if there are questions about Ukraine, about our future, this can only be acceptable when we are at the negotiating table. That is absolutely clear.' He added: 'Of course, we are not losing this war, but we are losing people... and time.'

Next steps

Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre said that Witkoff is heading to Russia: 'Steve Witkoff will fly to St. Petersburg tomorrow, where he will meet with the Russian leadership, exchange views on the outcomes of this meeting and the proposals worked out by European and American colleagues, and possibly prepare the ground for a leaders-level meeting.' Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told journalists on Tuesday: 'We hope that in the very near future it will be possible to organize a meeting at which American negotiators... Mr. Witkoff will be able to brief President Putin on their contacts with the Ukrainians and Europeans.'