Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy was due to meet US special envoy Steve Witkoff in Oslo on Tuesday as Kyiv seeks to repair deteriorating relations with Washington amid President Donald Trump’s increasingly conciliatory approach towards Moscow.
The meeting comes as Trump has criticised Zelenskiy, questioned his approach to negotiations and suggested that Ukraine should find another leader to negotiate an end to Russia’s war. Washington has also eased sanctions on Russian energy exports, citing the need to lower fuel prices in the United States.
The diplomatic tensions have raised concerns in Kyiv about continued access to American military technology, intelligence and air defence capabilities as Russian attacks on Ukrainian cities and infrastructure intensify.
Trump said on Monday that Russia had, “frankly, been fine on Ukraine,” while accusing Zelenskiy of complicating efforts to end the war. He said Ukraine should find “somebody else to negotiate” a settlement with Moscow.
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Zelenskiy’s visit to Norway, with Finland also participating in the diplomatic efforts, offers an opportunity to address the growing divide between Kyiv and Washington and coordinate European support for Ukraine.
Why Are Relations Between Washington and Kyiv Deteriorating?
The latest tensions intensified after Trump eased sanctions on Russian diesel exports in an effort to reduce American fuel prices. Higher energy costs following the US military campaign against Iran have created domestic political pressure for the Trump administration ahead of legislative elections next month.
Trump has also repeatedly criticised Ukrainian attacks on Russian oil refineries, which Kyiv considers an important means of weakening Moscow’s ability to finance and sustain its war effort.
Washington subsequently issued a broader waiver of tougher sanctions on Russia that were due to take effect under a bipartisan law named after Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, a staunch supporter of Ukraine who died in July, according to the report.
The administration’s approach has raised questions about whether Washington’s immediate economic and diplomatic priorities are diverging from Kyiv’s goal of securing stronger pressure on Russia.
For Ukraine, the concern is not limited to sanctions. Kyiv says Washington has failed to provide timely warnings of Russian missile launches, restricted access to military satellite communications and failed to deliver air defence systems purchased by European allies.
The United States denies withholding intelligence or imposing the alleged restrictions on satellite services.
Ukraine Raises Concerns Over Military Technology
Zelenskiy said he had spoken with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio about ballistic missile interceptors, advance warnings of Russian attacks and the need to restore access to Starlink and Starshield capabilities.
Starlink provides satellite communications, while Starshield is a more specialised system designed for government and military use. Ukraine relies on satellite connectivity for important battlefield communications and drone operations.
Kyiv says its satellite receivers no longer function when mounted on fast-moving objects, including drones. SpaceX chief executive Elon Musk has said Starshield is controlled by the US government, leaving decisions about restrictions on its use to Washington.
The dispute is particularly significant because Ukraine has increasingly relied on drones and other technology to strike Russian military and energy targets while defending itself against sustained bombardment.
Ukrainian officials say the reported loss of American capabilities has made it harder to intercept Russian attacks. Washington, however, rejects allegations that it is deliberately withholding intelligence or restricting the systems.
The disagreement underscores Ukraine’s dependence on American support even as political relations between the two governments weaken.
Russian Attacks Continue as Diplomatic Tensions Grow
The diplomatic dispute is unfolding alongside continued attacks on energy infrastructure and other targets in both countries.
Ukrainian officials said a Russian drone struck near a petrol station on a highway south of Kyiv, killing three people and setting vehicles on fire. Footage released by Ukraine’s emergency services showed firefighters tackling a large blaze amid wreckage at the scene.
Both Russia and Ukraine have targeted each other’s energy facilities and data centres. Kyiv had temporarily held back from striking Russian oil refineries at Trump’s request, while Moscow continued its attacks, according to the report.
The situation has fuelled concerns in Ukraine that American pressure on Kyiv could constrain its ability to retaliate without producing comparable restraint from Russia.
For Zelenskiy, the challenge is to preserve diplomatic engagement with Washington while maintaining Ukraine’s ability to defend its cities and military positions.
Europe Seeks to Prevent a Wider Western Rift
European governments have strongly supported Ukraine, viewing Russia’s invasion as a major threat to the continent’s security. Several countries are also concerned that a deeper breakdown between Washington and Kyiv could undermine their collective ability to sustain Ukraine’s defence.
The United States has largely stopped directly supplying weapons to Ukraine under Trump, but European governments can purchase American equipment for Kyiv. Washington also retains intelligence and technological capabilities that European allies cannot easily replace.
Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre said the purpose of hosting Tuesday’s meetings was to steer diplomatic efforts towards a more constructive path.
Finland is co-hosting the talks, with President Alexander Stubb joining discussions with Zelenskiy and Støre on Russia’s war and European security. Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner was expected to participate virtually alongside Witkoff, both of whom have been involved in US negotiating efforts.
The leaders were expected to hold a press conference later on Tuesday.
Can the Oslo Talks Restore Confidence?
The immediate priority for Zelenskiy is to prevent political disagreements with Trump from further weakening Ukraine’s military position. Restoring confidence over intelligence sharing, air defence supplies and satellite communications could help stabilise relations even if broader disagreements over sanctions and negotiations remain unresolved.
European governments, meanwhile, face the challenge of supporting Ukraine without access to the full range of American military capabilities.
The Oslo meetings are unlikely to resolve every dispute between Washington and Kyiv, particularly as Trump continues to pursue a different approach towards Moscow. However, they could provide an opportunity to clarify American commitments and establish a more coordinated diplomatic strategy.
The central question is whether Washington can pursue negotiations with Russia while maintaining sufficient support for Ukraine to defend itself. For Kyiv and its European partners, the answer will shape not only the prospects for ending the war but also the future of European security.
With information from Reuters.
