In brief
An Oslo summit between Ukraine’s President Zelensky, US envoy Steve Witkoff, and Norway’s Prime Minister set a hopeful tone for a trialogue with Russia. Putin remains reluctant to share a table with Zelensky, preferring a technical briefing in Abu Dhabi next month. Kremlin adviser Yuri Ushakov called the Oslo talks weak, while Trump’s pause of sanctions adds a new twist. A future “New Yalta” in China may reshape global dynamics.
In mid‑October, the world’s eyes were on Oslo where Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met US envoy Steve Witkoff, with Norway’s Prime Minister giving a calm nod to new hope for peace.
But when the flame of cooperation went to Moscow, Putin stayed hesitant, preferring a technical meeting in Abu Dhabi next month and telling his aide that a real sit‑down with Zelensky would happen—only if it was in his own city.
Kremlin adviser Yuri Ushakov slammed the Oslo talk as “not much useful” and said, “in terms of resolving the Ukraine crisis, there wasn’t much there that was useful.” He added that progress was vague but “moving in that direction.”
Meanwhile, Trump has surprised many by easing sanctions on Russia, buying Russian diesel and saying he’s committed to peace. Russian‑led TV sees this as a sign that the Kremlin is feeling less pressure.
In a twist, leaders of Russia, China and the United States may meet in China next month on the sidelines of the Apec summit, an event some calling the “New Yalta.” This could put Putin right at the top table of global politics, reshaping future power plays.
