Zelensky proposes trilateral leaders' meeting as Witkoff heads to Russia

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on Tuesday, October 20, after talks in Oslo that Ukraine, together with European partners, proposes moving to a trilateral meeting of leaders to resolve issues only they can address. The negotiations in Oslo included Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff, with Jared Kushner joining online. Zelensky stated Kyiv has clear ideas for achieving peace, unified with Europe, and expects Americans to convey these to Russia. Witkoff will travel to Saint Petersburg on October 21 to meet Russian leadership. Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre suggested this could pave the way for a leaders-level meeting. Zelensky noted Ukraine immediately supported the US idea of an energy truce, but Russia continued strikes. Kyiv proposed not hitting sensitive Russian energy facilities if Moscow stopped attacking Ukrainian ones, but Putin refused. Witkoff will also deliver a document with security guarantee options for Ukraine, with Moscow's reaction expected within two days. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Moscow would listen but make no political concessions.