In brief
A brief look at the Oslo talks where U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff hugged Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Behind the warm gesture, remarks from both leaders reveal deep mistrust over aid, sanctions, and military support. Zelensky complains of slowed Patriot deliveries and erratic early‑warning tech, while Trump’s comments signal a continuing row. The U.S.‑Ukraine relationship, already volatile, is set to hinge on the next moves from Moscow as the talks conclude.
In Oslo, U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff hugged Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, a moment that felt more symbolic than reassuring. Despite the greeting, tensions run high as Zelensky keeps raising doubts about the U.S.’s willingness to back Ukraine with aid and early‑warning technology.
Trump’s own words have been sharp. He’s called Zelensky a “bad guy” on Newsmax and said a U.S. diesel deal with Russia “puts us on the wrong side of history.” These statements add to a history of mixed signals from the former president.
Zelensky has complained that sanctions waivers, slowed Patriot missile deliveries, and a throttled Starlink service are hurting Kyiv’s defenses. He’s also frustrated that early warnings from U.S. satellites have been spotty during recent Russian missile strikes.
Behind the headlines, the U.S.‑Ukraine relationship has seen a roller‑coaster ride – from Trump’s 2019 calls for investigations to a recent temporary lift of U.S. sanctions on Russia. With talks in Oslo concluded, all eyes now turn to Moscow for the next move.
