Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is set to travel to Oslo on Tuesday for talks on European security and Russia’s escalating war against Ukraine, alongside US envoy Steve Witkoff and Finnish President Alexander Stubb, Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre has announced.

The meeting comes amid worsening relations between Kyiv and Washington, with Ukraine accusing the United States of using military assistance and access to critical technology as leverage to pressure Kyiv to halt strikes on Russian oil refineries.

“President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has asked Norway and Finland to organize a meeting as part of the ongoing diplomatic efforts, in a critical time for Ukraine,” Støre said in a statement.

“Together with President Alexander Stubb, I'm glad to be able to host this meeting in Oslo.”

A Ukrainian official told the Kyiv Independent that Zelensky was already on his way to Norway.

Witkoff is expected to attend the meeting in person, while Jared Kushner, US President Donald Trump’s son-in-law and diplomatic adviser, is expected to participate remotely due to an alleged illness, Reuters reported on Monday, citing a source familiar with the matter.

Representatives from Britain, France, Germany and Poland, as well as the European Union and NATO, are also expected to take part in the discussions, according to Reuters.

The Oslo talks come as relations between Kyiv and Washington deteriorate following the announcement of a US-Russia diesel agreement on Oct. 9.

Since then, Trump and Zelensky have exchanged sharp public criticism. Trump accused the Ukrainian president of being unwilling to end the war, saying Zelensky “doesn't want to end this war, and probably never did.”

Trump has also declined to condemn Moscow over its intensifying attacks on Ukraine, including strikes on the country's energy infrastructure.

Zelensky, meanwhile, warned in an interview with NBC News that siding with Russian President Vladimir Putin would be a “historic mistake.”

Kyiv has also expressed concern that Washington could be withholding Patriot air defense missiles funded by Ukraine’s allies and restricting access to crucial intelligence about incoming Russian missile attacks.

Ukraine fears that pressure from Washington could weaken its ability to defend itself against Russian strikes while pushing it toward concessions in efforts to end the war.

Witkoff is also reportedly expected to travel to Moscow to meet Putin for discussions that could include the possible release of Stephen Hubbard, a 72-year-old US citizen detained by Russian forces in 2022.

Hubbard was reportedly serving with a Ukrainian territorial defense unit in Izium, in the Kharkiv region, when he was detained.

The Oslo meeting is part of ongoing diplomatic efforts involving Ukraine, the United States and European partners as concerns grow over Russia’s military campaign and the future of Western support for Kyiv. (ILKHA)