OSLO, October 20, 2026 (DAILYNWZ) — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy was due to meet U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff in Oslo on Tuesday, seeking to repair strained ties with Washington as President Donald Trump eases pressure on Russia and questions Kyiv’s approach to ending the war.
The meeting comes amid growing Ukrainian concerns over U.S. support, including reports of delayed air defense deliveries, reduced satellite connectivity for Ukrainian drones and a lack of early warning about Russian missile launches. Washington denies deliberately withholding intelligence or restricting Ukraine’s access to military technology.
Trump has repeatedly criticized Zelenskiy while expressing a more conciliatory view of Moscow. On Monday, he said Russia had “been fine on Ukraine” and suggested Kyiv should find “somebody else to negotiate,” adding that Zelenskiy was “not helping matters much.”
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio acknowledged on Tuesday that a shipment of American air defense missiles purchased by European countries for Ukraine might not have been delivered, but played down its significance. Speaking during a visit to India, Rubio said there had been no deliberate political directive to harm Ukraine.
The Kremlin, meanwhile, said it hoped to arrange a meeting soon between Witkoff and Russian President Vladimir Putin, raising the possibility that the U.S. envoy could travel to Russia after his talks with Zelenskiy.
The diplomatic strain has unfolded as Russia intensifies attacks on Ukrainian cities and energy infrastructure. Ukrainian officials said strikes overnight hit energy facilities in seven regions, causing power outages, while the western Lviv region came under attack again during the day.
A Russian drone struck near a petrol station on a highway south of Kyiv, killing three people and setting cars ablaze, Ukrainian officials said. A separate attack on a warehouse in the capital also killed three people. Three more people were reported killed in Kramatorsk, in eastern Ukraine.
Kyiv says the attacks have become more intense and deadly as U.S. support has weakened. Ukraine has also resumed strikes on Russian oil refineries after holding back for several days in response to Trump’s request that both sides spare each other’s energy infrastructure. Both countries have also attacked data centers.
Relations deteriorated earlier this month after Trump eased sanctions on Russian diesel in a deal with Putin, saying the move would help lower U.S. fuel prices. He later issued a broader waiver for tougher sanctions on Russia that had been due to take effect this week. Higher fuel costs following U.S. strikes on Iran have put pressure on Trump’s Republicans ahead of legislative elections next month.
Zelenskiy said he had discussed missile interceptors, early warning of Russian attacks and the need to restore Starlink and Starshield services with Rubio. Kyiv says satellite systems no longer function when mounted on fast-moving objects such as drones. SpaceX chief executive Elon Musk has said Starshield is controlled by the U.S. government and that any restrictions ultimately rest with Trump.
European governments have strongly backed Ukraine, viewing its defense as central to the continent’s security. The United States has largely stopped supplying weapons directly but allows European countries to purchase them for Kyiv, while continuing to provide intelligence and technology that Europe cannot match.
Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere said the Oslo talks, co-hosted by Finland, aimed to put diplomacy on a “more constructive path.” Finnish President Alexander Stubb was due to attend, while Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, who has helped lead U.S. negotiations with Witkoff, was expected to join virtually. Zelenskiy, Stubb and Stoere were scheduled to hold a news conference on Tuesday.