Kremlin dismisses Oslo peace proposals as lacking substance

Leaders from Ukraine, Norway, Finland and the United States gathered in Oslo earlier this week to develop a common basis for peace talks and to ease Kyiv's strained relationship with Washington. The meeting produced a set of proposals that were presented to President Vladimir Putin during a three-hour discussion with US envoy Steve Witkoff in St. Petersburg. Kremlin adviser Jurij Usjakov publicly described the proposals as lacking substantive content, though Russian representatives indicated they remain open to reviving three-party negotiations in mid-November after the US midterm elections.

In a separate move, Putin ordered the release of 74-year-old American teacher Stephen Hubbard, a decision that sparked backlash from US officials after Witkoff referred to Putin as a “humanitarian.” At the same time, Ukrainian forces carried out a large-scale drone attack on areas surrounding Moscow, highlighting that military pressure continues alongside diplomatic efforts.