US special envoy Steve Witkoff is scheduled to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in St Petersburg on Wednesday to discuss peace proposals aimed at ending the ongoing war in Ukraine. The upcoming talks follow discussions held in Oslo between Witkoff and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, which a US official characterized as productive and constructive.
The diplomatic effort in Norway involved key regional figures, including Finnish President Alexander Stubb and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre. Trump administration envoy Jared Kushner participated in the Oslo sessions via video link and is expected to join the St Petersburg meeting virtually. European representatives emphasized that any negotiations regarding the resolution of the conflict must involve European nations.
Diplomatic friction and intelligence sharing
Tensions between Washington and Kyiv have surfaced recently over military support and strategic differences. Kyiv previously accused the US of withholding crucial intelligence, an allegation Washington denied as scandalous. However, President Zelensky confirmed that early warning intelligence sharing regarding incoming Russian missile strikes has resumed effectively.
Additional issues remain unresolved between the two nations, including military hardware deliveries and network access. Ukrainian officials have noted speed restrictions on SpaceX's Starlink platform, which is critical for military drone operations. Meanwhile, reports indicate that transfers of US-made Patriot missile interceptors have not yet been approved, though US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that no assistance has been deliberately withheld.
Broader political landscape
The diplomatic push coincides with sharp political commentary from US leaders. US President Donald Trump urged Kyiv to negotiate an end to the conflict, while US Vice-President JD Vance noted that Washington and Kyiv hold divergent interests on specific issues, such as Ukrainian strikes on Russian energy infrastructure.
Moscow has indicated a willingness to listen to the proposed terms, though Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov stated that the Kremlin will not make political concessions. As diplomatic talks continue, Russian military strikes have persisted across several Ukrainian regions, resulting in civilian casualties in Kyiv, Donetsk, Dnipro, and near Kharkiv.
Source: BBC News
