Ukraine receives US missile warnings again following Oslo talks

The United States has restarted providing Ukraine with early intelligence alerts regarding incoming Russian missile bombardments, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed on Tuesday.

Speaking after discussions in Oslo with American envoy Steve Witkoff, Zelenskyy stated that the flow of warning data on ballistic launches had been restored following an apparent suspension by Washington last week. Expressing gratitude to the American administration, he said the alerts were critical for protecting civilians and would save lives.

The gathering in Norway occurred during an exceptionally tense period between Washington and Kyiv. The discussions involved Witkoff and Jared Kushner, who joined via video link, alongside Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store, Finnish President Alexander Stubb, and security representatives from the United Kingdom and the European Union. Zelenskyy also reported having an encouraging telephone discussion earlier with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

Relations grew strained after President Donald Trump heavily criticized Zelenskyy, suggested Ukraine requires fresh leadership, and lifted sanctions on Russian diesel to influence domestic energy costs. Kyiv also faced operational setbacks when military-grade Starshield satellite services were curtailed, impacting Ukrainian drone operations on frontline positions. Furthermore, deliveries of Patriot air defence interceptors financed by allied nations have been put on hold by the Pentagon.

Zelenskyy rejected claims that his nation is succumbing on the battlefield, though he acknowledged significant casualties from persistent Russian bombardments. To resolve air defence shortages, he offered to halt Ukrainian strikes targeting Russian refineries if Washington releases the withheld Patriot systems.

The Ukrainian leader firmly rejected a proposed three-way summit involving Trump, Vladimir Putin, and Chinese leader Xi Jinping that would exclude Kyiv from negotiations, reiterating that any decisions concerning the country's sovereignty require direct Ukrainian participation.

In India, Rubio disputed assertions of an intentional policy to weaken Kyiv, explaining that global demand and domestic requirements have restricted available stockpiles of Patriot missiles. Meanwhile, European officials voiced sharp criticism of the shifting American stance, with EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas questioning whether Washington is acting as an impartial mediator.

The security concerns remain immediate on the ground. On Tuesday, Russian strikes killed at least nine individuals across Ukraine, including three victims who died when a drone hit vehicles traveling on a highway between Kyiv and Odesa.