US negotiators in Oslo expressed Trump's dissatisfaction with Zelensky's reaction

US side's complaints regarding public comments

During negotiations held in Oslo, US presidential special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner expressed dissatisfaction with the conduct of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. According to The New York Times, citing a source familiar with the details of the meeting, the US representatives emphasised that the Ukrainian leader's sharp remarks directed at Donald Trump had provoked his anger.

According to the publication, the US delegation made it clear to Zelensky that his public comments had caused Trump's dissatisfaction.

Ukrainian President's reaction and meeting context

During the discussion, Zelensky occasionally refuted the accusations made by his American counterparts. At one point during the negotiations, the Ukrainian President emphasised: «Я ніколи такого не говорив» (I never said that).

Meanwhile, according to The New York Times, the Ukrainian leader understood the subtext of the message the US side was trying to convey.

«Зеленський був одним із небагатьох, хто часом відкрито кидав Трампу виклик. Однак йому доводиться ретельно розраховувати, наскільки далеко він може зайти, оскільки його країна й надалі залежить від Сполучених Штатів у питанні власного виживання, захищаючись від російського вторгнення» (Zelensky was one of the few who sometimes openly challenged Trump. However, he has to carefully calculate how far he can go, as his country continues to depend on the United States in terms of its own survival, defending itself against the Russian invasion), the newspaper's material notes.

These diplomatic consultations took place against the backdrop of attempts to achieve the end of Russia's war against Ukraine, as well as discussions on the future role of the US in supporting Kyiv.