Washington preparing new format of peace talks on Ukraine - Axios
The administration of US President Donald Trump intends to organize direct trilateral talks involving Ukraine, Russia and the United States. Subsequently, Washington expects to expand the diplomatic process to a multilateral format with the involvement of other states.
This was reported by Axios journalist Barak Ravid, citing an American official who spoke about the results of the negotiations in Norway.
According to the source, the consultations that took place on October 20 in Oslo were productive. The Ukrainian side presented new ideas and proposals for ending the war, which the participants discussed in detail.
The American official says that the US, Ukraine and European partners managed to significantly converge positions at the working level. The parties coordinated further diplomatic steps and a joint approach to negotiations with Moscow.
During the meeting, key provisions of the future peace agreement were discussed, including long-term security guarantees for Ukraine, a post-war economic recovery plan, and a new European security system.
The next stage will be presenting these proposals to the Russian leadership. According to Axios, on October 21, US President's special representative Steve Witkoff is to meet with Vladimir Putin in St. Petersburg. Jared Kushner, Trump's son-in-law and advisor, plans to join the talks remotely.
According to the American official, Washington seeks to discuss the developed proposals with Russia and create conditions for transition to trilateral talks, and later to a broader international format.
In Oslo, Volodymyr Zelenskyy held talks with Steve Witkoff, Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, and Finnish President Alexander Stubb. Jared Kushner participated remotely. Representatives of European states, the EU and NATO also joined the consultations.
As reported by the Office of the President of Ukraine, Zelenskyy proposed in the future to hold a trilateral meeting at the level of leaders of Ukraine, the US and Russia. In his opinion, some of the most difficult issues of future settlement can be resolved only during direct negotiations between heads of state.
The new diplomatic stage takes place against the backdrop of disagreements between Kyiv and Washington regarding Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil infrastructure, supply of American missiles for Patriot systems, and military support for Ukraine. Zelenskyy confirmed readiness to stop strikes on energy facilities in Russia on the condition of similar actions by Moscow.
However, there is currently no agreement on holding a trilateral meeting. Russia has not previously supported the proposed format of negotiations at the leaders' level. The future prospects of the diplomatic process will depend, in particular, on Moscow's response to the proposals that Witkoff will present to Putin.
Based on materials: Axios, Office of the President of Ukraine, Government of Norway
