U.S. envoys meet Zelenskyy amid growing tensions over support
U.S. envoys are scheduled to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Norway on Tuesday, amid escalating concerns over a perceived reduction in American support for Ukraine amid growing ties between the U.S. and Russia, reports BritPanorama.
Negotiators for President Donald Trump, including son-in-law Jared Kushner and special envoy Steve Witkoff, have faced challenges in establishing a diplomatic resolution to the conflict. The latest meeting comes at a time when Zelenskyy has openly accused the U.S. of pulling back crucial support needed for Ukraine’s defense against Russian aggression, a claim that Secretary of State Marco Rubio has described as “scandalous.”
Witkoff will meet Zelenskyy in Oslo, while Kushner will join the discussions via videoconference. The talks will also include Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre and Finnish President Alexander Stubb, as part of a broader diplomatic effort.
With reports indicating a lack of early warnings from the U.S. prior to recent attacks on Kyiv, U.S. mediation efforts have come under scrutiny. Trump has taken actions perceived as favorable to Russia, casting doubt on Washington’s commitment to Ukraine. His recent waiver of sanctions and a diesel deal with Russia are seen as moves to lower fuel prices ahead of upcoming elections.
Trump’s remarks downplaying the impact of ongoing Russian assaults on Ukraine have raised alarms. “Russia, frankly, has been fine on Ukraine,” he stated, dismissing the severity of the situation despite the toll it has taken on civilians and infrastructure.
Meanwhile, Kyiv reported receiving no advance notice of the latest Russian missile strikes, which occurred on Sunday, marking an alarming trend. In addition, Ukrainian officials expressed concerns over delays in military support, such as crucial ballistic missile interceptors, and restrictions regarding the Starshield program.
“All of this suggests that some political decision has been made to slow down support for us,” Zelenskyy said during a recent address to a bipartisan Congressional delegation. He noted that he had a “substantive conversation” with Rubio regarding military needs, thanking the U.S. for its continued assistance in certain areas.
Rubio, in his subsequent comments, affirmed that U.S. support for Ukraine remains steadfast, contending that nothing has been deliberately withheld. However, Ukrainian officials maintain that ongoing restrictions are hampering their defensive capabilities against Russian missile attacks, resulting in increased casualties.
Tragic scenes emerged from the eastern Kharkiv region, where visuals of a one-year-old girl who died in a Russian strike stirred outrage. Zelenskyy condemned the incident, declaring, “The world has enough strength to stop the war. That strength must finally be used — against the murderers.”
As diplomatic discussions unfold, the stakes for Ukraine remain perilously high, with escalating tensions both from military and political fronts shaping an uncertain future.
