Zelensky demands participation in Putin-Xi-Trump meetings

After talks in Norway, Zelenskyj demands participation in Putin-Xi-Trump meeting As of: October 20, 2026 • 10:01 p.m

Trump had expressed interest in speaking to the presidents of Russia and China about Ukraine. After a meeting with European partners and US special envoy Witkoff in Oslo, President Zelenskyj now called for Kiev's participation.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has called for his country to take part in a possible summit meeting between US President Donald Trump, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping. Talks about Ukraine's future are "only acceptable if we sit at the negotiating table," said Zelensky during a visit to the Norwegian capital Oslo. That is “absolutely clear”.

Putin is seeking a meeting with Trump and Xi on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit on November 18 and 19 in Shenzhen, China, according to a US newspaper report.

Trump appeared open to such a three-party summit on Monday: "I would do it," the US President told journalists in Washington. But the meeting has not yet been agreed. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha has warned that such a three-way meeting would only "encourage Putin to continue this war."

Arne Bartram, ARD Stockholm, currently Oslo, about Zelenskyj's meeting with US special envoy Witkoff tagesschau, Das Erste, October 20, 2026 • 8:00 p.m. Meeting with US special envoy Witkoff in Oslo Selenskyj had now traveled to Oslo to meet with US special envoy Steve Witkoff about diplomatic ways out of the Ukraine war and support for the USA to advise.

First he wanted to speak to the Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store and the Finnish President Alexander Stubb as a group of three, then individually with Witkoff, and finally in a group of four. According to Norwegian media, US negotiators and Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner as well as representatives of several European countries, including Germany, as well as the EU and NATO, were also involved.

The Norwegian capital is therefore a new location in the so far unsuccessful peace efforts for Ukraine, which has been waged by Russia in a war of aggression for four and a half years. The aim of the meeting, which was brokered by Norway and Finland, was primarily to improve the tense relationship with the USA and to return to diplomacy.

The meeting is intended to advance diplomatic efforts to end the war in Ukraine. more

At the talks in Oslo, the parties discussed security guarantees for Ukraine, territorial questions, sanctions and European security after the war, it was said.

Store said at a press conference in Oslo that good and constructive discussions had been held, which were necessary after the events of last week. In the afternoon a basis was created on which we could continue working. Stubb said the day brought progress in the right direction. Zelenskyj described the talks with Witkoff as important. We must continue to work together at all levels on the decisions that are necessary to end the war.

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Witkoff will now travel on to Russia. "Steve Witkoff will fly to St. Petersburg tomorrow for talks with the Russian leadership," Store said. “The proposals that European and American colleagues have developed” should be presented.

Shortly after the talks in Oslo, however, US President Donald Trump once again claimed that Russia was ready to end the war and called on Zelensky to make a "deal". He should end the war, otherwise it would end badly. Trump also claimed again that the United States had “given a lot” to Ukraine but “got absolutely nothing in return.”

In his accusations against Ukraine, Trump repeatedly ignores the fact that only Russia can end its war of aggression. In addition, Putin has so far refused to agree to a peace or ceasefire and has ignored or rejected every offer from Ukraine and its partners.

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In the evening, Zelensky said at a press conference in Oslo after talks with Witkoff that the US would again share intelligence information about Russian attacks with Ukraine. “We are grateful that the intelligence work works,” said Zelensky.

"I'm talking about early warnings, which is very important for our population, for children, adults, civilians." The resumption of early warnings came after discussions with US government officials, including a phone call with Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

“Russia is not even ready for a ceasefire,” Vassili Golod, ARD Kiev, on tensions between Trump and Zelensky morning magazine, Das Erste, October 21, 2026 • 6:00 a.m. Ukraine is not losing the war against Russia, emphasized Zelensky. However, Kiev deplores the loss of life and is determined to find ways to peace.

After an interruption, the USA again provided information on Russian attacks, said Zelensky. more

Relations between Kyiv and Washington have deteriorated sharply in recent weeks. According to Zelensky, the USA had withheld important intelligence information and delayed the delivery of anti-aircraft weapons. He also complained about a throttling of the Starlink and Starshield satellite communications services, which play an important role in the coordination of the Ukrainian army, the use of drones and their defense.

Trump had also suspended planned sanctions against Russia and instead concluded an agreement with Moscow on the supply of diesel fuel.

With information from Jana Sinram, ARD Stockholm

Ukraine relies heavily on cooperation with the USA in the war. But the exchange stalls. more

This topic in the program: The First | daily news | Oct 20, 2026 | 8:00 p.m