Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during a press conference with Taoiseach Micheal Martin at the Presidential Palace in kyiv, Ukraine. Photo date: Thursday July 23, 2026.
Niall Carson – Pa Images | Pa Images | Getty Images
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is expected to meet with US special envoys on Tuesday after US President Donald Trump launched a new round of criticism of the war leader.
Zelensky will arrive in Norway on Tuesday and will meet Prime Minister Jonas Gahr and Finnish President Alexander Stubb in Oslo later in the day. American envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner will also participate in the discussions.
The meetings come as tensions rise between Zelensky and Trump, as the United States recently eased pressure on Russia, which invaded Ukraine in 2022.
Ukraine requested that Witkoff and Kushner join the meeting in Oslo, Norway, Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre said in a statement.
“Diplomatic efforts have already taken place in several countries, and Norway and Finland are happy to be able to continue this work. The aim is to put diplomatic efforts on a more constructive path,” he said.
Trump responded Monday to criticism that he recently lifted sanctions on Russia and was on the “wrong side” of history.
“Zelensky doesn’t know what he’s talking about,” Trump told reporters outside the White House. “Zelensky is a man who should have settled this war a long time ago.”
“I think it’s time for someone else to negotiate on behalf of Ukraine,” Trump said, echoing previous calls for a “new president” in kyiv. “If he had listened to me, he would have made a much better deal a long time ago, and a million people would be living alongside him.”
Trump also said he would meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping to determine how to end the war in Ukraine, which could exclude Zelensky. “Whatever I can do to end the war, whether anyone is there or not,” Trump said.
Star Shield Complications
Last week, Zelensky denounced the U.S. government over restrictions on access to satellite services offered by SpaceX’s Starshield military satellite system, which is critical to Ukraine’s defense against Russian strikes.
“No explanation on any of these issues has been provided to Ukraine by the American side,” Zelensky said Monday.
SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has placed blame on the US government and Trump, who he says are “ultimately” responsible for any slowdown. Secretary of State Marco Rubio denied U.S. responsibility, and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent asked Zelensky to be “very careful about making statements like this that are not true.”
Trump said Monday he didn’t know who restricted Starlink service in Ukraine, “but I’d like to know.”
— CNBC’s Kevin Breuninger contributed to this report.
Gn headline
