US special envoy Steve Witkoff is scheduled to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday as President Donald Trump increases pressure on Ukraine to reach a negotiated settlement to the war. The planned meeting follows diplomatic discussions in Norway involving Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, US representatives and European leaders seeking a possible path towards ending the conflict.
The diplomatic push comes at a difficult moment for relations between Washington and Kyiv. Ukraine has expressed concern over delays in military assistance and intelligence support, while European governments remain worried that Moscow could gain an advantage if US pressure falls more heavily on Ukraine than on Russia.
Trump said on Tuesday that Ukraine needed to want an agreement, arguing that Russia was continuing to advance on the battlefield. His comments renewed concerns in Kyiv and several European capitals about the terms of any potential settlement.
Witkoff to Brief Putin After Norway Discussions
Witkoff’s planned visit to Russia follows talks in Oslo with Zelenskyy and representatives of European countries, including Norway and Finland. European and NATO representatives also took part in discussions aimed at coordinating the next stage of diplomatic engagement with Moscow.
A US official described the discussions as constructive and said Ukraine had brought forward new ideas and proposals. The talks addressed elements of a possible comprehensive peace framework, including security guarantees for Ukraine, post-war economic arrangements and a broader European security structure.
Witkoff is expected to communicate the Ukrainian and European positions to Russian officials and explore whether the discussions can lead to direct negotiations involving the principal parties.
Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre described the Oslo discussions positively, while Finnish President Alexander Stubb said the peace process appeared to be moving forward again.
However, the planned meeting with Putin does not guarantee that Russia will accept the proposals or that a final agreement is close. Major differences remain over territory, security arrangements and the future relationship between Ukraine and Western countries.
Trump Presses Kyiv to Make a Deal
Trump has publicly urged Ukraine to reach an agreement, saying Moscow appears interested in ending the war. He has also questioned Zelenskyy’s approach to negotiations and suggested that Ukraine’s leadership needs to demonstrate greater willingness to settle the conflict.
The US president has argued that Russia’s size and continued battlefield pressure put Moscow in a strong position. Kyiv, however, has repeatedly rejected settlement terms that it believes would compromise Ukraine’s sovereignty or leave the country exposed to another attack.
The dispute has placed Zelenskyy in a difficult diplomatic position. Ukraine wants to maintain American military and intelligence support while persuading Washington that a durable peace requires credible guarantees against future Russian aggression.
The Ukrainian president said discussions in Norway included security guarantees resembling NATO’s Article 5 principle, under which an attack on one alliance member is treated as an attack on all. Ukraine is not a NATO member, and any proposed guarantee would need to be defined and agreed by the participating governments.
Military Support Remains a Major Concern
Ukraine’s concerns extend beyond the peace negotiations. Kyiv has raised questions about the delivery of air-defence equipment, including Patriot missile interceptors, and the reliability of systems used to warn of incoming Russian attacks.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with Zelenskyy on Tuesday. Their discussions included missile-defence supplies and satellite communications systems used by Ukrainian forces.
Rubio acknowledged that a shipment of interceptors purchased by European countries for Ukraine may not yet have arrived. He denied that the delay reflected a deliberate political decision to weaken Ukraine.
Under the current arrangement, European countries can purchase US weapons for Ukraine through the Prioritised Ukraine Requirements List programme. Washington has also provided intelligence and technology that European governments cannot easily replace.
The uncertainty surrounding deliveries has added to Kyiv’s concerns as Russian attacks continue. US officials have said that the country’s own military stockpiles must also be considered when authorising shipments of certain weapons.
Russian Attacks Continue Amid Diplomatic Efforts
The diplomatic discussions are taking place while fighting continues across Ukraine. Russian forces launched missile and drone attacks against Ukrainian areas, with strikes reported against energy infrastructure and transport-related facilities.
Ukrainian officials said attacks disrupted electricity supplies in several regions. Damage to power infrastructure is particularly concerning as Ukraine approaches colder weather, when households and essential services depend heavily on reliable heating and electricity.
Russian authorities also reported attacks on cargo vessels and logistics facilities in Ukraine. Claims made by either side during the conflict require independent verification, and the full extent of the latest damage remains subject to continuing reports.
The continuing attacks underline the difficulty of negotiating a settlement while both sides are still attempting to improve their positions on the ground.
Trump has called for both Russia and Ukraine to refrain from striking energy infrastructure. Ukraine temporarily held back from some attacks on Russian oil facilities before resuming operations after continued Russian strikes, according to published reports.
Europe Wants a Role in Any Peace Settlement
European governments have stressed that decisions affecting the continent’s security cannot be made without their involvement. Norway and Finland have participated in the latest diplomatic efforts, while other European countries and NATO representatives have discussed how to coordinate engagement with Russia.
European officials are concerned that a settlement reached under heavy pressure on Kyiv could leave Ukraine vulnerable and undermine wider European security. They have also argued that any durable agreement must address the risk of renewed Russian military action.
The Oslo talks were intended to bring the positions of Ukraine, the United States and European partners closer together before further engagement with Moscow. Whether those discussions can produce a shared framework will depend in part on Russia’s response to the proposals.
What Happens Next?
Witkoff’s planned meeting with Putin is the next important step in the diplomatic effort. It could help clarify Moscow’s position and determine whether direct negotiations involving Russia, Ukraine and the United States are possible.
For Kyiv, the central questions remain whether a settlement can protect its independence, what security guarantees would be offered and whether military assistance will continue while negotiations proceed.
For Washington, the challenge is to turn diplomatic pressure into a workable agreement without deepening divisions with Ukraine and its European partners.
No final peace deal has been announced. The outcome will depend on whether Russia and Ukraine can bridge their substantial differences over territory, security and the conditions needed to end the war.
