President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine faced a stern admonition from U.S. representatives during a closed-door meeting in Oslo on Tuesday, underscoring the strained dynamics between Kyiv and Washington amid ongoing conflict with Russia. The gathering came amid growing signs of a recalibration in U.S. policy toward Moscow under President Donald Trump, raising concerns about the future of Western support for Ukraine.
Steve Witkoff, Trump’s special envoy, and Jared Kushner, the president’s son-in-law, reproached Zelensky for his recent public criticisms of Trump, conveying that the Ukrainian leader’s responses had angered the U.S. president, according to a source familiar with the discussions who spoke on condition of anonymity. Zelensky pushed back during the exchange, at times denying statements attributed to him, yet appeared to absorb the message as he later adopted a more conciliatory tone when addressing the media.
“We are thankful to the American side,” Zelensky said after the meeting, highlighting the continuation of U.S. intelligence assistance. He also noted positive interactions with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and praised the dialogue as “very constructive,” emphasizing the shared goal of peace for Ukraine, Europe, and the United States.
The Oslo talks, organized by Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store and Finnish President Alexander Stubb—both steadfast supporters of Ukraine—aimed to mend recent tensions and restore momentum toward peace negotiations. Store underscored the importance of focusing on future steps rather than past disputes, while Stubb described the meeting as a success, expressing hope that diplomatic progress would continue without regress.
Following the Oslo meeting, Witkoff proceeded to St. Petersburg for peace talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, illustrating the contrasting approach between Trump’s interactions with autocratic leaders versus democratically elected counterparts like Zelensky. U.S. officials emphasized there was no connection between these diplomatic moves and domestic U.S. politics, amid speculation that Trump’s apparent pivot toward Moscow could be motivated by electoral considerations.
Relations between Trump and Zelensky have been fraught since the U.S. president’s first term, including Trump’s effort in 2019 to pressure Ukraine into investigating political rivals, which led to the president’s first impeachment. The recent period has seen Trump escalate criticism of Zelensky, accusing him of prolonging the war and publicly urging Ukraine to replace its president—remarks condemned by Kyiv and its European allies.
This tension coincides with U.S. policy shifts that include deals to purchase Russian diesel fuel, the lifting or exemption of certain sanctions on Russia, scaling back of intelligence and military support to Ukraine, and facilitating sales of Russian oil assets linked to individuals connected to Trump’s circle. Despite intensifying Russian missile and drone attacks causing significant civilian casualties in Ukraine, Trump has refrained from criticizing Putin, instead positioning Russia as a necessary participant in peace talks.
At Oslo, Zelensky reiterated the heavy toll of the conflict on his country’s population and expressed urgency for an end to the war, appealing for continued support from both American and European partners. The meeting highlighted the complex balancing act faced by Ukraine’s leadership—navigating a U.S. administration that demands deference while recalibrating its stance toward Russia amid a protracted and deadly conflict.