Zelensky seeks U.S. support, but is Trump Interested?

Oslo meeting with White House envoy Steve Witkoff comes as ties fray over intelligence, Starlink, and energy truce; European riots, Houthi attack, Alberta vote also in focus

By LineZotpaper

Published20 October 2026

Read Time3 min

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky flew to Oslo on Tuesday for talks with White House special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, seeking to repair a rapidly deteriorating relationship with the United States. The meeting came as Washington appeared to shift closer to Moscow, with President Donald Trump praising Russia's conduct on Ukraine and opening talks on excluding Kyiv from future peace negotiations. Elsewhere, European countries struggled to contain the worst protests in decades, Houthi rebels killed at least 73 in a missile strike on a Yemeni military camp, and Alberta voted overwhelmingly to remain in Canada.

Zelensky Seeks to Repair US Ties

Zelensky's meeting with Witkoff and Kushner in Oslo focused on allegations that Washington is withholding critical intelligence from Kyiv and on Ukraine's need for more Patriot missiles. Last week, Ukraine lost access to military-grade Starlink satellite services, disrupting several missions. SpaceX CEO Elon Musk and Kyiv accused the Trump administration of ordering the cuts; Trump denied involvement. Reports also emerged that U.S. military officials had threatened to restrict intelligence-sharing. In response, Zelensky scrapped a Trump-brokered truce on energy strikes between Russia and Ukraine, a move that appeared to frustrate the White House.

Trump said Monday that "Russia, frankly, has been fine on Ukraine" and that "Zelensky is not helping matters much," suggesting Ukraine should find "somebody else to negotiate." He also opened the door to talks with Russia and China on Ukraine's future, worrying European allies about being sidelined. The Trump administration suspended sanctions on Russian diesel exports, which a bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers called "a gift to our adversary and a betrayal of our allies." Zelensky initially called the diesel deal a "happy birthday" present for Russian President Vladimir Putin, but later wrote on X that Ukraine is "grateful" for continued U.S. support. Following his talks in Oslo, Zelensky offered to resume the energy truce, but only if Moscow also halts strikes. Hours earlier, Russia had launched new ballistic missile and drone attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure.

Europe's Season of Protest

In France, authorities extended curfews in several cities after weekend riots that saw more than 2,400 arrests and hundreds of police injured. Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu defended the curfews as "efficient" in restoring calm and vowed a massive security deployment for planned "Act II" demonstrations on Saturday. The unrest, fueled by grievances over public services and the cost of living, has spread to Spain, Albania, Belgium, and Italy. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni announced 500 troops for Milan after looting and vandalism there, and pledged new security measures including stricter detention rules for minors.

Deadly Houthi Attack

Houthi rebels struck a Yemeni military camp with a ballistic missile on Monday, killing at least 73 recruits aged 18 to 20, the deadliest attack since fighting resumed in July after a nearly four-year cease-fire. The Iranian-backed group also launched missiles and drones at Saudi Arabia and the besieged city of Taiz. Riyadh activated mutual defense pacts with Pakistan and Turkey; the U.K. said it would deploy fighter jets to help defend Saudi Arabia, and Egypt's parliament is expected to vote on military support next week. Saudi Arabia postponed its Future Investment Initiative after deadly strikes hit Riyadh's international airport.

Alberta Chooses Unity

Albertans voted 76 percent against independence in a nonbinding referendum, delivering a victory to Prime Minister Mark Carney, who said they "chose unity." However, pollsters note that 62 percent of locals believe the separatist movement will persist. In Quebec, the pro-independence Parti Quebecois won a provincial election this month and has vowed to hold its own referendum once Trump leaves office.

Analysis

Why This Matters

The fraying US-Ukraine relationship directly affects the war's trajectory and Ukraine's ability to defend itself; any shift in US support could force Kyiv into unfavorable negotiations.
Trump's openness to talks with Russia and China signals a potential realignment of US foreign policy that could reshape European security and leave NATO partners uncertain.
The simultaneous unrest in Europe and escalation in Yemen highlight a period of global instability that may further distract and divide international attention.

Background

The US has been Ukraine's largest military backer since Russia's full-scale invasion, but President Trump has long indicated a desire to wind down involvement. His administration has pursued direct engagement with Moscow, including sanction relief and energy deals. European allies have warned against excluding Ukraine from peace talks. The Houthi campaign in Yemen and Red Sea is part of a broader Iranian-backed push; the cease-fire collapse in July 2026 reignited full conflict.

Key Perspectives

Ukraine (Zelensky): Seeks to maintain US military aid and intelligence support, while resisting pressure to make concessions. He has publicly criticized Trump's affinity for dictators but now strikes a grateful tone and proposes conditional truce. United States (Trump): Portrays Ukraine as obstructing peace and Russia as reasonable; appears willing to trade Ukrainian interests for lower energy prices and a deal with Moscow. European Allies: Fear being sidelined in Ukraine negotiations and face domestic unrest that strains their own political stability. Houthi Rebels: Continue their offensive despite foreign defense pacts; their attacks aim to secure Red Sea coast and pressure Saudi Arabia. Alberta: While the independence vote failed, separatist sentiment remains strong, particularly in Quebec.

What to Watch

Whether the White House follows through on intelligence or Starlink restrictions; abrupt changes could signal a decisive break.
The outcome of Saturday's "Act II" protests in France and whether they trigger broader government crackdowns across Europe.
Egypt's parliamentary vote on military support for Saudi Arabia; approval could mark a significant shift in regional alignment.
The status of the Lukoil deal and further US-Russia energy cooperation, which could reduce Western leverage over Moscow.

Sources

Zelensky Seeks U.S. Support, but Is Trump Interested? · Foreign Policy

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10 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 4 supported.

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SupportedThe headline says Zelensky seeks U.S. support and questions whether Trump is interested.Foreign Policy: “Zelensky Seeks U.S. Support, but Is Trump Interested?”
SupportedZelensky flew to Oslo on Tuesday for talks aimed at repairing ties with the United States.Foreign Policy: “Zelensky flew to Oslo, Norway, on Tuesday to attend a slew of meetings focused on Russia’s war in Ukraine and European security.”
Partly supportedJared Kushner took part in the Oslo talks in person.Foreign Policy: “They included talks with Witkoff—and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, who attended virtually”
Partly supportedWashington opened talks on excluding Kyiv from future peace negotiations.Foreign Policy: “He also suggested that the United States is open to talks with Russia and China on the future of Ukraine, worrying European allies that they will be left out.”
SupportedTrump said, “Russia, frankly, has been fine on Ukraine” and “Zelensky is not helping matters much.”Foreign Policy: “On Monday, Trump said that “Russia, frankly, has been fine on Ukraine,” that “Zelensky is not helping matters much,” and that Ukraine should find “somebody else to negotiate.””
Partly supportedEuropean countries faced the worst protests in decades.Foreign Policy: “Weeks of anti-government protests over inadequate public services and the rising cost of living transformed over the weekend into one of the country’s worst bouts of rioting in decades.”
SupportedHouthi rebels killed at least 73 recruits aged 18 to 20 in a ballistic missile strike on a Yemeni military camp.Foreign Policy: “Houthi rebels launched a devastating ballistic missile strike on a Yemeni military camp on Monday, killing at least 73 people—all new recruits between ages 18 and 20.”
Partly supportedSaudi Arabia activated mutual defense pacts with Pakistan and Turkey.Foreign Policy: “Saudi Arabia this month triggered a mutual defense pact with Pakistan and Turkey; the latter submitted the deal to parliament for ratification on Tuesday.”
Partly supportedAlbertans voted 76 percent against independence in a nonbinding referendum.Foreign Policy: “According to results announced on Tuesday, around 76 percent of Albertans rejected independence”
Partly supportedThe unrest spread to Spain, Albania, Belgium and Italy.Foreign Policy: “Experts say the unrest is feeding similar protest movements across Europe, including Spain’s housing reform sit-ins, Albania’s anti-corruption demonstrations, and Belgium’s education reform push.”