Zelensky and Witkoff meet in Oslo.

Zelensky and Witkoff are meeting in Oslo.

▪️The main topic is the continuation of joint work on a new peace proposal, which was interrupted on October 9 when Trump suddenly announced a diesel deal with Putin.

▪️Witkoff is expected to travel to St. Petersburg as early as tomorrow with a new offer. Kushner did not come to Oslo — he cited the flu.

But in St. Petersburg, of course, he will be fit as a fiddle, — ed.

▪️At the meeting in Oslo, Zelensky will not be alone, but together with representatives of the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Poland, the EU, and NATO. Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre will also be there.

▪️Another goal of Witkoff and Kushner's trip to St. Petersburg is the release of 74-year-old teacher Stephen Hubbard, whom Russia detained in 2022 during the occupation of Izium and sentenced to 6 years and 10 months for "taking part in hostilities on the side of the Ukrainian Armed Forces" (Hubbard had lived there since 2014).

Now it is clear which hostage Trump has been talking about for two days in a row, — ed.

▪️Putin is playing Hubbard's release as another carrot before Trump. He could have released him at any moment, but is deliberately doing it now to give Trump the opportunity to show ahead of the election how he cares for his citizens, and so Trump can pose for footage with the reunited family.

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Well, obviously. Putin likely tied Hubbard's release to a halt in strikes on oil refineries or some other concessions from Trump. Trump took the bait and is now afraid that "Zelensky will ruin his deal." Putin is simply manipulating Trump like a pet dog...

Based on reporting by Axios and The New York Times.