Zelensky wary as Witkoff meets Putin in Russia, US pressure mounts

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky remains wary despite calling Tuesday's talks with US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner in Oslo "constructive," as tensions with Washington persist. Witkoff met Vladimir Putin in St. Petersburg Wednesday, his tenth Russia visit since 2025, presenting "ideas" for a peace deal. President Donald Trump continues blaming Zelensky for the conflict, saying Tuesday that "if he doesn't want to end the war, it will go very badly." Washington has pressured Kyiv through a diesel purchase deal with Russia, criticism of Ukrainian refinery attacks, and Trump's claim that Zelensky is "harder to work with" than Putin. Zelensky has responded by calling Trump's attitude "weak" and decrying American "betrayal." Putin announced the release of American Stephen Hubbard, detained for alleged mercenary activity, with Trump confirming no "quid pro quo." Witkoff also discussed a potential Trump-Putin-Xi meeting in China in November, which Zelensky insists is unacceptable without Ukrainian participation.