Witkoff to conversations in Russia

Witkoff said after the meeting that there is a basis for a ceasefire. The Russian news agencies Interfax and TASS reported that he hopes Putin will agree to a resumption of negotiations by the three parties Russia, the USA, and Ukraine. Putin thanked US President Donald Trump for his efforts to settle the war at the meeting. The Kremlin chief said that Russia is interested in restoring economic relations with the USA. In addition, Putin inquired about Witkoff's conversation with the Ukrainian President Zelenskyy in Oslo on Tuesday. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio described this meeting as positive and announced that Witkoff would present the results from the Russian side. During Witkoff's visit, US citizen Stephen Hubbard, who is imprisoned in Russia, was likely released. Putin stated this according to Russian news agencies. The retired teacher had been sentenced to almost seven years in prison in Moscow in October 2024 for alleged "mercenarism" for Ukraine. It was reported that Hubbard was already at the Pulkowo airport in St. Petersburg. Störe: Phase of Possibilities for Diplomacy The Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre told the television broadcaster NRK earlier that Witkoff would return to Oslo after his meetings in Russia. "It will probably be a meeting at the airport. The expectation is that it will be some kind of feedback," Støre said. "I believe that we might be in a phase where the Russians are also looking for possibilities for diplomacy." US negotiator Witkoff spoke on Tuesday evening with European top politicians in Norway. The hosts were Støre and the Finnish President Alexander Stubb, and Zelenskyy was also present. According to Støre, peace proposals for Ukraine were developed by European and US colleagues during this meeting. In addition to US negotiator Jared Kushner, according to Norwegian media, representatives from several European countries, including Germany, as well as the EU and NATO, also joined via video. Støre said that Europe must live with the consequences of the war in Ukraine. Therefore, it is appropriate for the European states to play a more central role in the negotiations than before. Zelenskyy: Ready for Negotiations The parties discussed, among other things, security guarantees for Ukraine, territorial issues, sanctions, and European security after the war, according to the Norwegian Prime Minister. The goal was to "reorient the diplomatic efforts back to a more constructive path." Zelenskyy said after the meeting, "We are ready for negotiations. We are not losing the war, but we are losing lives. And because Russia is attacking, we are losing lives and time." Trump Pressures Ukraine The meeting is part of the diplomacy promoted by US President Donald Trump in recent days. This relies on an understanding with Moscow while US pressure on Ukraine grows. Generally, relations between Kyiv and Washington have deteriorated significantly in recent weeks. Trump had concluded an agreement with Moscow on the delivery of diesel and suspended planned sanctions against Russia. At the same time, important military aid for Ukraine is stalling. Trump also demanded the replacement of Zelenskyy. On Tuesday, the US President urged the Ukrainian head of state again to reach an agreement with Russia. Trump said in Washington that Zelenskyy must "reach an agreement" with Putin. This is also in Zelenskyy's own interest. Zelenskyy Thanks the US for Early Warning Systems Kyiv had recently complained about the lack of warnings before the launch of ballistic missiles and problems with the Starlink satellite internet service. Zelenskyy said that the early warning systems are now working again. "We are grateful to the American side for that." He is also optimistic about Starlink after the meeting in Oslo. As the "Wall Street Journal" reported, citing US officials, billionaire Elon Musk allegedly ordered the throttling of his militarily important satellite internet from Starlink. In earlier statements, he had referred to the US government. Musk is said to have discussed this with Trump by phone after the throttling became public. Trump for a Trilateral Meeting with Putin and Xi Trump also showed openness to a possible trilateral meeting with Putin and Chinese leader Xi Jinping. "We would do that to talk about nuclear weapons and nuclear disarmament," Trump said on Monday (local time) in Washington. A meeting of the three major nuclear powers on nuclear disarmament is "a very good thing for the world," which he would pursue at any time. He also said that he would address other issues "like Ukraine" at such an opportunity. Zelenskyy, however, emphasized in Oslo that his country must be at the table in negotiations about Ukraine. According to US media reports, a meeting with Putin and Xi could take place in November at the summit of the Asia-Pacific Economic Community (APEC) in Shenzhen, China. The Kremlin expressed its agreement because Putin has long been pushing for talks on nuclear disarmament. China did not confirm the plans for a trilateral meeting. Responding to Trump's remarks, spokesperson for the Department of State Mao Ning said that she currently has no information on this. Ukraine has been fighting against the Russian invasion with Western help for more than four and a half years. The situation has worsened for the country in the cold season due to heavy Russian attacks on the energy infrastructure, as Kyiv also does not have sufficient means for air defense. Russia hopes to break the resistance of the Ukrainians with another winter of war. Zelenskyy had recently advocated a ceasefire for mutual attacks on energy facilities. Putin had rejected this so far.