Ukraine thankful that intelligence on missile strikes ‘works now’, says Zelenskyy – Europe live

• US peace envoy Steve Witkoff will travel to St Petersburg on Wednesday to relay to Russia some new peace proposals discussed with Ukraine, Norway’s prime minister Jonas Gahr Støre said after hosting the US-Ukraine talks in Oslo (19:06).

• The leaders discussed a number of contentious issues, including possible ceasefires, energy, and security guarantees (19:13).

• Zelenskyy also confirmed that Ukraine is “now” again receiving US intelligence about Russia’s strikes (19:22), after his earlier discussions with US secretary of state Marco Rubio (19:10, 19:16).

• Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy suggested that any final peace deal would require a trilateral summit with Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin, as some outstanding issues are of such gravity that “only the leaders” can resolve them (19:10).

• Zelenskyy stressed that “Ukraine wants peace more than anyone,” but insisted “nothing [gets discussed] about Ukraine without Ukraine.”

• Finland’s influential president Alexander Stubb said today’s talks put the peace process “back on track” with good progress “on a technical level,” as he hoped for a good outcome from Witkoff’s discussions with Russia on Wednesday (19:13, 19:28).

A further summary of earlier events today is here.

In his closing comments, Finland’s Stubb says “it was a good day for peace,” as he acknowledges that “the top priority of the US administration is to find a peaceful solution to Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine.”

He repeats that they “have made a lot of progress under the radar in the past week or so.”

“I feel that the process is back on track, and we’ll continue to work on it together with our European friends.

The key, of course, will be, what kind of messages Steve Witkoff will be able to get from St Petersburg tomorrow. But I think today was a success, and tomorrow is a new day. Hopefully we don’t do any backtrack[ing].”

And that concludes the press conference.

Zelenskyy gets asked if today’s meeting changes his view that the US is trying to pressure Ukraine to capitulate, and reports of a possible US, China, Russia trilateral meeting.

He stresses the principle of “nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine.”

“So I don’t know what about the trilateral meeting will be between America, China and, Russia? It’s up to them. But of course, if this is about Ukraine, our future, it can be acceptable only when we are at the table of negotiations.”

He says the talks between Ukraine, Europe and the US have been constructive, “and we will see what will be tomorrow” in St. Petersburg.

Norway’s Støre repeats his positive lines on today’s talks which he says allowed both sides to “straighten out a few things and to agree that what matters now is to look ahead.”

He pointedly thanks Witkoff and hopes for a good outcome from his talks with Russia tomorrow (which he curiously says will be in Moscow, not St Petersburg, as said earlier).

“We are on a certain track, but war is unpredictable. It doesn’t follow a plan. And that’s why from time to time, we have to use, some cool diplomatic political brains to get our thinking back on track and our planning back on track.”

The leaders also get asked about Trump’s comments that he doesn’t want to push Putin too hard so they don’t help Iran.

Zelenskyy says his impression is that Russia had helped Iran anyway.

Stubb jumps in to point out that Ukraine, in turn, has been very supportive of countries in the Gulf, sharing their experiences.

Zelenskyy says the talks covered security guarantees, among others, and he hopes to hear Russia’s response tomorrow.

He says Ukraine needs “strong security guarantees after the war ends.”

He also pointedly says that he is thankful that intelligence sharing “works now” (that’s my emphasis), and it helps with responding to any Russian attacks against Ukraine.

Norway’s Støre jumps in to respond to a question on why Witkoff is not answering questions with the three other leaders.

He diplomatically points out that “this is a press conference among political leaders,” hinting that Witkoff is essentially of a different diplomatic rank.

But more broadly, he talks about the process, and the need for Europe “to be at the table.”

“To succeed, to achieve a last and fair piece, we need an equation of us, Ukraine, Russia and Europe and basically also other key countries, because this is a war with huge ramifications.”

He says he and Stubb don’t talk “on behalf of Europe,” but both countries, neighbours of Russia, have a deep understanding of the challenges faced by Europe.

Finland’s Stubb jumps in to add that they just work “in the back office” of the talks to support their progress.

He says Norway and Finland take part “because we believe in international law, but also based on self-interest” as Russia’s neighbours with “our history with Russia.”

“We’ll see what happens after tomorrow in Saint Petersburg. It’s very important that the American negotiators and President Trump stay engaged.”

Asked about his confidence in doing deal with Trump, Zelenskyy is very diplomatic.

He goes back to his conversation with Rubio earlier today, and says it was the right channel to discuss “sensitive issues” such as Stalink, interceptors, and intelligence sharing.

He says he hopes to talk with Rubio again in the next 48 hours.

By the way, you can watch the Oslo briefing here:

In the Q&A, Ukraine’s Zelenskyy gets asked about his concessions and whether he is losing the war now.

He says the discussions revolved around “sensitive” issues, but he wants to “push as quick as possible to end this war” and focus next discussions on reconstruction.

He insists “we are not losing the war,” but concedes that “we are losing people and time,” as “our children do not have real life, childhood.”

He says “that is why we need to end this war as quick as possible.”

Finland’s Stubb says he believes today’s talks achieved some “genuine” progress “on two levels: … the short term and the big picture.”

“We found some elements of peace which will be taken forward to Saint Petersburg tomorrow.”

He says the discussions focused on “key issues such as air defence, energy installations, and partial ceasefires, such as those on energy and food security,” building on discussions in Miami.

Stubb says he understand “there has been a lot of noise” but “on a technical level, I feel that we are on the same page, and the next steps are about how we get there.”

“In my experience, peace requires patience, but unfortunately war does not wait. People are dying every day and each day. Our job is to do what we can to end it. And I think today was a step in the right direction.”

Ukraine’s Zelenskyy is up next.

He thanks Norway for hosting the talks, and Finland’s Stubb for joining the process.

He says today’s talk with the US were “important” as he says all parties need to “keep talking at all levels and work together on the decisions needed to end this war.”

He thanks US secretary of state Marco Rubio for their earlier phone call conversation, too.

He says:

“Ukraine wants peace more than anyone. It was Russia who started this war, and the decision to keep the killing going is Russia’s choice and Russia’s alone.”

He adds:

“We are working to find a solution. I thought we have some clear ideas on how to get to peace, and we are united with our European partners in this effort, and we want the Americans to take these ideas to the Russians.”

He says he wants a trilateral meeting of the leaders – that’s Trump, Putin and himself – because there are issues that “only the leaders” can resolve.

Norway’s Støre is the first to speak.

He says Norway remains supportive of Ukraine, and “we have always made it clear there will be nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine.”

He thanks Trump’s envoys Witkoff and Kushner for joining the talks, and says:

“We believe that peace is possible and necessary for Ukraine and for Europe and for the entire world. We have hosted today, I would say, good and constructive talks, necessary after events of the last week. We have agreed that working together is crucial.”

He says US’s Witkoff will fly to St. Petersburg tomorrow to relay the result of today’s proposals to Russia, and “possibly pave the way for a meeting at the leaders’ level.”

“We have discussed today issues linked to security for Ukraine, prosperity plan after the war; issues related to territory and issues related to sanctions and questions related to European security order in the aftermath of this war.”

Oh, welcome back.

Zelenskyy, Støre and Stubb are here.

Let’s listen in.

We are now pausing our coverage as we wait for the Ukraine-US talks in Oslo to wrap up.

I will be back when the leaders of Ukraine, Norway and Finland show up for their press conference, which is currently expected around 6pm UK (7pm Oslo). We will bring you the presser live here.

In the meantime, here’s the summary of the day so far:

• Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelenskyy is in Oslo, holding talks with the US peace envoys, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, with the Norwegian PM Støre and Finnish president Stubb also attending (12:23, 13:22, 16:06).

• French authorities said that military forces will be deployed to reinforce “massive” police presence during the upcoming protests on Saturday (15:29, 15:57), as they framed the worsening situation as a choice between “violence and the Republic.”

• Italian defence minister Guido Crosetto warned that city riots, seen also in the Italian city of Milan, are part of a broader “hybrid war” against the west, with younger people radicalising through the use of social media platforms (15:21), with the Italian government planning to approve new security measures (14:27).

In other news,

• EU trade commissioner Maroš Šefčovič said the bloc’s relationship with the UK is of “vital importance in the current geopolitical, security and economic context,” as he set out the bloc’s expectations ahead of next month’s EU-UK summit on 20 November (11:44).

Meanwhile, UN Human Rights chief Volker Türk has condemned “all acts of violence” during the last week’s protests in Albania, Belgium, France, Italy and Portugal, and called on all parties to “reduce tensions and prevent further violence.”

In a statement he insisted that “the best and only way forward is inclusive and safe dialogue.”

Türk continued:

“People have the right to protest peacefully, and to have their voices heard. States must facilitate these rights.

I deplore the actions of those exploiting protests to commit acts of violence and vandalism against public and private property. They should be held individually accountable.

I am concerned by reports of unnecessary and excessive use of force against protesters, including children. States must ensure that any law enforcement response remains lawful, necessary and proportionate. Allegations of unlawful use of force must be investigated promptly, effectively and independently, with accountability and effective remedies for victims.

I note some steps already taken by authorities to investigate incidents and ease tensions. I further urge States to engage protesters, particularly young people, in meaningful, inclusive and constructive dialogue, and to take concrete steps to address legitimate and fundamental human rights concerns over education, public services, housing, the rising cost of living and inequality.”

Kyiv mayor Vitaly Klitschko said that an energy facility in Kyiv was hit this afternoon, as Russian attacks on Ukraine continue.

No details were immediately available, but the attack fits the pattern of Russian strikes on Ukrainian energy infrastructure in recent weeks.

Earlier today, Klitschko reported a number of other drone attacks in and around the capital, with at least one dead and nine injured.

Meanwhile, two men are appearing in a Danish court this afternoon for suspected espionage for Russian intelligence, the country’s public broadcaster DR reported.

A short press release issued by the police quoted the head of investigation at the North Jutland force saying that “this is a case we are taking very seriously.”

The case focuses on suspected cooperation with foreign intelligence and has been brought forward in partnership with the Danish Security and Intelligence Service, the police said, without disclosing more detail.

The two men – which DR says are aged 18 and 21 – were arrested yesterday, and a preliminary court hearing is now getting under way.

But DR notes that the case is unusual given the hearing is taking place outside of regular court hours.

The incident comes less than a month after the Danish defence intelligence service issued a report warning against Russia’s activities.

For what it’s worth, we are expecting to hear from Zelenskyy, Stubb and Støre after today’s talks, probably around 6pm UK time (7pm Oslo).

We will bring you the key lines here, alongside a live stream to follow along.

In the last few minutes, Zelenskyy posted a video from today’s talks alongside the Norwegian and Finnish leaders, saying:

“Jonas, Alex, thank you for your unwavering support and DAILY attention to protecting lives. We are stronger together. Thank you, Norway! Thank you, Finland!”