Zelensky in Oslo: US system restored, Kyiv seeks to end the war

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said after talks in Oslo that Kyiv wants the war with Russia to end as soon as possible and that Ukraine is ready to negotiate. He thanked the United States for renewed cooperation after an early-warning system for Russian attacks was restored.

"We are grateful to the American side. Now it is working, that's excellent," Zelensky said, underlining the importance of timely warnings for the safety of Ukrainian civilians. His remarks came amid recent tensions between Kyiv and Washington over Ukrainian claims that the U.S. had stopped providing timely intelligence on Russian missile strikes.

Nordic hosts report progress on proposals

Finnish President Alexander Stubb and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, who joined the Oslo talks, said participants made concrete progress on two strands of work: long-term peace arrangements and immediate measures to reduce casualties. Stubb said elements of a possible peace deal were identified and that proposals developed in Oslo would be presented to the Russian side during talks planned in Saint Petersburg.

Stubb also said delegates discussed urgent steps such as air defence, protection of energy infrastructure and possible local ceasefires, and that there was broad alignment among participants on those issues. He added that the negotiating teams are trying to work largely behind the scenes.

Zelensky confirmed he had spoken with Senator Marco Rubio and thanked him for his readiness to help resolve the technical problems that had affected cooperation. He also said U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff will travel to Russia to convey the proposals crafted in Oslo.

The Ukrainian leader said Kyiv immediately backed a U.S. suggestion to pause attacks on energy infrastructure, but that Russia responded by continuing strikes. Zelensky added that former U.S. President Donald Trump has said an energy-related truce was agreed and has proposed direct talks between the three presidents.

"We will see what Putin has to say," Zelensky said, and the Nordic hosts warned that Europe must have a voice at any negotiation table because European countries will live with the long-term consequences of any deal.

Photo: press material from the event