President Volodymyr Zelensky warned Tuesday, Oct. 20, that any attempt by US President Donald Trump, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese leader Xi Jinping to negotiate Ukraine’s future without Kyiv would be unacceptable, insisting that Ukraine must participate in any talks concerning its sovereignty and the war’s outcome.
Speaking at a joint press conference in Oslo with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre and Finnish President Alexander Stubb, Zelensky responded to reports that Trump and Putin were considering a trilateral summit with Xi that could include discussions about ending Russia’s war against Ukraine.
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Asked by New York Times correspondent whether such a meeting would be acceptable or legitimate, Zelensky drew a clear distinction between talks involving the three major powers and negotiations over Ukraine’s future.
“First of all, I spoke about a trilateral meeting at the level of leaders: the United States, Ukraine and Russia,” Zelensky said.
“I don’t know whether the trilateral meeting will be between America, China and Russia. It’s up to them. But of course, if the issue is about Ukraine, our future, it can be acceptable only when we are at the table of negotiations. It’s absolutely clear.”
His remarks came a day after Trump said he was willing to meet Putin and Xi in China next month, potentially without Zelensky, while suggesting that Ukraine should have someone else negotiate on its behalf.
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As Kyiv Post reported, Trump said Monday that a potential summit with Putin and Xi would primarily focus on nuclear disarmament but could also address the war in Ukraine.
“To be honest, I think it’s time for somebody else to negotiate on behalf of Ukraine,” Trump told reporters, renewing his criticism of Zelensky.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha had already rejected the prospect of the three leaders discussing Ukraine’s future without Kyiv, warning that such a meeting would encourage Putin to continue the war rather than bring it to an end.
Zelensky Cites Positive Signals From Washington Despite Recent Tensions
Zelensky was also asked whether Tuesday’s meeting had eased his concerns that Washington was pressuring Ukraine toward capitulation, as he had suggested in recent remarks.
Zelensky highlighted what he described as improved communication with American officials.
“Today’s morning began from positive signals from the American side,” he said, referring to his phone conversation with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
“Now we have very constructive dialogue,” Zelensky added, emphasizing that Ukraine, Europe and the US all wanted peace.
However, he stressed that the next stage of negotiations would be crucial.
“We will see what will be tomorrow,” he said.
The Oslo meeting brought Zelensky together with Nordic leaders and Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff, who is scheduled to travel to St. Petersburg on Wednesday, Oct. 21, for talks with Russian officials.
According to the Norwegian government’s official account, Witkoff will present proposals developed by Ukrainian, American and European representatives, potentially preparing the ground for negotiations at the leaders’ level.
The talks covered security guarantees for Ukraine, territorial issues, sanctions, postwar reconstruction and the future European security order.
Støre reaffirmed his government’s position that Ukraine cannot be excluded from decisions concerning its future.
“There will be nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine,” he said.
US to Present Security Guarantee Proposals to Russia
Zelensky said the Oslo talks had also produced progress on possible postwar security guarantees, including arrangements modeled on NATO’s collective defense provisions.
“We really discussed security guarantees, and I’m thankful to the American side that they underlined again that they will be strong,” he said.
He explained that several proposals had been included in a negotiating document, including NATO-related guarantees and arrangements resembling Article 5, which establishes the alliance’s collective defense commitment.
“There are different kinds of security guarantees, which are in the paper, in the document, and which Steve will share with Russians,” Zelensky said, referring to Witkoff.
He indicated that Kyiv expected feedback following the envoy’s discussions in St. Petersburg.
“What we need, we need strong security guarantees after this war will end,” he added.
Zelensky Says US Missile Early-Warning Intelligence Has Resumed
The Ukrainian president also confirmed that US intelligence cooperation on Russian ballistic missile launches had resumed following recent interruptions.
“We are thankful that intelligence works now. I’m speaking about early warning, what is very important for our people, for children, adults, civilians, because we can hear when ballistic is coming,” Zelensky said.
“So we are thankful to the American side. Now it works. It’s great.”
The restoration follows growing concern in Kyiv over interruptions in advance warnings of Russian ballistic missile attacks, which give civilians critical time to seek shelter.
Zelensky said he had also raised two other pressing defense issues with Rubio: Starlink satellite communications and Patriot air defense systems.
“We discussed with Secretary not only intelligence. We discussed Starlink and Patriot, and he will come back, and I think that we will have good results,” he said.
The issues have become particularly urgent as Russia continues its missile and drone attacks on Ukrainian cities and critical infrastructure.
Despite recent tensions between Washington and Kyiv, Tuesday’s Oslo talks offered a chance to rebuild diplomatic momentum ahead of US-Russia negotiations in St. Petersburg.
Støre called for setting aside recent disagreements and concentrating on the next steps toward peace.
“What matters now is to look ahead,” he said.