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Ukraine: Zelensky accuses the US: “Delaying the delivery of missiles already paid for by Europe”
US President Donald Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, is due to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and European representatives in Oslo today to agree on a comprehensive peace proposal to be put to Russia. He will then travel to Moscow
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20 October 2026
Zelensky: ‘I spoke to Pope Leo’ about the Russian escalation
“I spoke with Pope Leo XIV and wished His Holiness a speedy and full recovery following his operation. We are grateful that, even at such a difficult time for him personally, His Holiness is thinking of Ukraine and praying for our people.” So said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on his social media accounts.
“I briefed him in detail on the situation regarding Russia’s escalation and its ongoing attacks on Ukrainian towns and communities. We also discussed the humanitarian catastrophe in Oleshky, which is currently under Russian occupation. We are working to help our people in that area and are preparing measures to address the situation. His Holiness informed me that he had been in contact with the Russian side on this matter,” Zelensky wrote.
“Of course, we also discussed the current security challenges and threats, including the recurring failure of our partners to provide warnings about Russian ballistic missile attacks – an incident that has occurred three times recently. I would like to thank His Holiness for his support and for all his efforts aimed at achieving a dignified peace,” concluded the Ukrainian leader.
20 October 2026
Ukraine: Witkoff is in Oslo today to meet Zelensky, then he will go to see Putin
US President Donald Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, is due to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and European representatives in Oslo today to agree on a comprehensive peace proposal to be put to Russia. Witkoff then plans to travel to Moscow to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin and present the proposals to him. This was reported by Axios journalist Barak Ravid, citing a US official.
“Following his visit to Oslo, Witkoff plans to travel to Russia, where he hopes to meet President Putin to present ideas developed in close consultation with Ukraine and European partners,” Ravid reported on the social media platform X, quoting the official.
According to the US source, Witkoff has already set off for the Norwegian capital, where he will also meet Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store, as well as representatives of the E4 group, the European Union and NATO. The aim of the talks is to draw up a comprehensive proposal that can form the basis for the resumption of negotiations with Moscow.
Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law and another key figure in the US mediation efforts, will also take part in the meeting via video conference, having cancelled his trip due to the flu to avoid infecting the other participants.
20 October 2026
Four people have been killed in Russian attacks in various parts of the country
The Ukrainian authorities have reported that, following Russian attacks, four people have lost their lives in various parts of the country. The attacks came after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Kyiv would resume strikes on Russian refineries in response to the ongoing bombardments it has been subjected to. Three people died in the Kyiv region, according to a report by Ukraine’s State Emergency Service on Telegram. One person was killed following attacks on Zaporizhzhia, in the south-east of the country, according to the head of the regional military administration, Ivan Fedorov. The attacks left at least 11 people injured.
L’ultimo incontro tra il presidente Volodymyr Zelenskiy, gli inviati speciali Usa Steve Witkoff e Jared Kushner REUTERS
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20 October 2026
Zelensky accuses the US of ‘delaying the delivery of missiles already paid for by Europe’
Volodymyr Zelensky has accused the United States of deliberately delaying the delivery of interceptor missiles – for which payment has already been made – intended for his country, and of having cut off the supply to Kyiv of intelligence necessary to detect incoming Russian missiles before they strike. During a telephone conversation with a bipartisan group of US senators, the Ukrainian president also returned to the issue of the deactivation of Starlink. “The Pentagon is delaying the delivery of missiles already paid for” by Europeans on Ukraine’s behalf”, he claimed, arguing that Pete Hegseth’s signature is missing.
