Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived in the Norwegian capital Oslo on Tuesday to hold talks with US special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, alongside European officials, as part of diplomatic efforts aimed at advancing the political settlement of the Russian-Ukrainian war.
Zelensky emphasized in a post on his X account following his arrival that his country is keen on "keeping all diplomatic channels open, which may contribute to achieving peace."
Disagreement over military supplies
These meetings come at a time when relations between Kyiv and Washington are experiencing increasing tension, after the Ukrainian president accused the United States of delaying the delivery of interceptor missiles that his country deems necessary to counter Russian attacks.
For his part, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio denied any deliberate withholding of military aid to Ukraine, clarifying that the matter relates to the distribution of resources among various US commitments and domestic defense needs.
International efforts to push for peace
The Norwegian government stated that "the meeting comes in response to a Ukrainian request aimed at enhancing diplomatic efforts at a stage described as critical," with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre and Finnish President Alexander Stubb also participating in the talks.
The meetings coincided with the continuation of military operations, as Ukrainian authorities announced the death of at least 10 people due to Russian airstrikes targeting several areas, including Kyiv, Zaporizhzhia, and Kramatorsk.
At the same time, US communications continue with various parties, amid reports of proposals being prepared to explore ways to reach a political settlement that could be presented to Moscow in the coming period.
Relations between Kyiv and Washington have seen increasing divergence in recent months regarding war management and military support mechanisms, while the United States remains the most prominent military supporter of Ukraine since the outbreak of the Russian-Ukrainian war in February 2022.
Western diplomatic moves to revive the negotiation track have intensified recently, alongside the continuation of fighting and targeting infrastructure and energy facilities in both countries, amid concerns about the repercussions of the ongoing conflict on European security and global energy markets.
Source: Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA)
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