Norway Hosts High-Stakes Ukraine-US Talks Amid Deteriorating Trump-Zelensky Relations

Leaders from Norway, Finland, the United States and Ukraine gathered in Oslo for a summit intended to revive diplomatic channels as the Ukraine war enters a critical phase. Participants included Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, President Alexander Stubb, US special envoy Steve Witkoff and a digitally-present Jared Kushner, who joined due to illness. Scholars from NUPI and the Institute for Defence Studies argue Norway was selected because it can act as a neutral conduit between the US and Russia while remaining a staunch Ukrainian ally.

The meeting follows a series of stalled peace-offer attempts and reflects Ukraine’s urgent need for renewed US support amid threats to intelligence and Patriot-missile assistance. Analysts note the deteriorating relationship between Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelenskyy, with Trump accusing Kyiv of avoiding peace and Russia stepping up its bombing campaign. The summit is seen as a short-term move to bolster European backing for Ukraine and to pressure the US ahead of its upcoming midterm elections.