Zelensky meets Witkoff in Oslo; Rubio denies holding back aid
Kyiv accuses Washington of withholding intelligence and Patriot missiles. Rubio calls it "outrageous" and Witkoff flies to Russia.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met Steve Witkoff, President Donald Trump's special envoy, in Oslo on Tuesday, as Washington rejects claims that it is holding back support for Kyiv. Jared Kushner, Trump's son-in-law, took part remotely.
A U.S. official described the talk as "very productive and constructive." No agreement was announced. The official said the two sides discussed security guarantees for Ukraine and a postwar plan. Earlier, Zelensky had spoken with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre and Finnish President Alexander Stubb.
Kyiv says the United States is withholding intelligence and Patriot missiles, some of them paid for by European countries. Zelensky told American lawmakers Monday that everything points to "a political decision" to hold back that support.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio rejected the claim. "That is scandalous. That is outrageous. It is simply not true," he said, and from India added that "nothing is being deliberately denied to Ukraine". Neither version has been independently verified.
Trump said Monday that Zelensky "isn't helping much" and that Ukraine could look for "someone else" to negotiate with.
Last week Ukraine lost access to military-use Starlink. Kyiv and Elon Musk blamed the White House; Trump denied it. Zelensky then canceled the energy truce Trump had announced. Hours before the meeting, Russia launched ballistic missiles and drones at Ukraine's power grid without warning, Zelensky said.
After the meeting, Zelensky posted a message on X saying Ukraine is "grateful" to the United States for its backing. Ukraine would again hold back its strikes on Russian energy, he proposed, but only if Moscow does the same.
Støre said Witkoff would fly to St. Petersburg on Wednesday to meet the Russian leadership.
