President Donald Trump’s senior envoys are preparing for another round of negotiations aimed at ending the war in Ukraine, with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expected to participate as tensions grow over American intelligence sharing and restrictions on satellite communications.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
President Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner and special envoy Steve Witkoff are expected to travel to Norway this week for further negotiations on ending Russia’s war against Ukraine, according to three people familiar with the diplomatic arrangements.
Two of the sources said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is also expected to attend the discussions, although the schedule remains tentative and could change.
The White House had not publicly confirmed the meetings as of Monday, Oct. 19, and no final agenda or participant list had been announced.
The planned gathering follows continued diplomatic contacts between Washington and Kyiv, even as disagreements over American military assistance and satellite communications have strained relations between the two governments.
Zelenskyy said Sunday that he had spoken with Kushner and Witkoff about the next steps in negotiations following discussions between American and Ukrainian officials in Florida.
He described communication between the negotiating teams as nearly continuous, emphasizing the importance of cooperation and mutual trust.
The prospective Norway meetings would represent another attempt by the Trump administration to advance a negotiated settlement more than four years after Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
However, the diplomatic effort faces mounting complications following allegations that Washington restricted a satellite communications system used by Ukrainian forces to coordinate battlefield operations and intercept Russian attacks.
Zelenskyy has accused the United States of reducing the operating speed of Ukraine’s Starshield satellite network, a military communications service produced by Elon Musk’s SpaceX.
The system supports battlefield communications and drone operations, making it an important component of Ukraine’s military infrastructure.
Although SpaceX manufactures the technology, the U.S. Defense Department holds the Starshield contract and permits Ukrainian forces to use the service.
Ukrainian officials say recently imposed restrictions have disrupted military operations by preventing some drones from maintaining communications at higher speeds.
The limitations reportedly affect terminals operating on vehicles or aircraft traveling faster than approximately 100 miles per hour.
Ukrainian military officials have warned that the restrictions complicate efforts to intercept Russian attack drones and conduct other time-sensitive operations.
Zelenskyy has also accused Washington of reducing intelligence sharing, a development that Ukrainian officials say has weakened their ability to anticipate incoming Russian strikes.
American officials have denied that the administration deliberately reduced intelligence cooperation or ordered restrictions intended to impair Ukraine’s defenses.
Nevertheless, officials familiar with the matter told Reuters last week that instructions to slow Ukraine’s Starshield service originated within the White House.
Those sources said Pentagon officials were informed that the system’s operating speed should be limited, although they did not identify the individual responsible for issuing the directive.
A senior American official separately denied that Trump personally ordered the restrictions.
The competing accounts have left unresolved questions about who authorized the limitations, why they were imposed and whether they were connected to disagreements over Ukraine’s military strategy.
Ukrainian officials contend that reduced satellite capabilities contributed to civilian casualties because military personnel were unable to intercept some incoming Russian attacks.
Those allegations have not been independently established, and American officials have disputed claims that the administration deliberately weakened Ukrainian defenses.
Musk addressed the controversy last week, emphasizing that Starshield’s military operations are controlled by the United States government rather than SpaceX acting independently.
According to Musk, decisions about operating restrictions and permitted uses of the government-controlled system are determined by American military authorities or the president.
The dispute highlights Ukraine’s dependence on American military technology, particularly satellite communications and intelligence capabilities that support its increasingly extensive use of drones.
Ukraine has relied on unmanned aircraft for surveillance, battlefield strikes and the interception of Russian drones and missiles.
Restrictions affecting those systems could complicate defensive operations as Russian forces continue attacking Ukrainian cities and energy infrastructure.
The satellite controversy also comes during broader disagreements over how to approach negotiations with Moscow.
Trump has repeatedly called for an end to the conflict and has pursued diplomatic contacts with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Ukrainian officials have expressed concern that negotiations could place pressure on Kyiv to accept territorial concessions or security arrangements that leave the country vulnerable to future Russian attacks.
Zelenskyy has maintained that Ukraine must participate directly in decisions affecting its sovereignty and that any settlement must include credible security guarantees.
The Trump administration has argued that negotiations require flexibility and continued engagement with both sides.
The proposed Norway meeting could provide an opportunity to address those differences while exploring whether additional progress toward a ceasefire is possible.
However, the participation of Russian officials has not been confirmed, and the reported arrangements do not establish that Moscow and Kyiv have agreed on the terms of a potential settlement.
For now, the diplomatic effort remains in its preparatory stages, with Kushner and Witkoff expected to represent Washington if the meetings proceed.
The discussions will take place against a backdrop of continued fighting, strained U.S.-Ukrainian relations and uncertainty over the military assistance Kyiv considers essential to its defense.
Whether the Norway talks produce measurable progress will depend on the willingness of the parties to narrow their differences over territory, security guarantees and the conditions required for ending the war.
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