Witkoff and Kushner tell Zelensky his Trump criticism backfired

US President Donald Trump's special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner admonished Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during a closed meeting in Oslo over his public criticism of Trump, according to The New York Times citing a source familiar with the talks. Witkoff and Kushner, who participated via video link, said Zelensky's criticism had angered Trump. The Ukrainian president repeatedly denied making such statements, insisting "I never said that," though he later spoke to journalists in a more restrained tone and positively assessed the meeting. The envoys denied any link between Washington's foreign policy decisions and US domestic political circumstances, despite speculation about upcoming midterm elections. European officials noted the talks did not resolve fundamental differences, though the meeting helped "defuse tensions" and continue dialogue.