Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says renewed discussions with U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff in Norway have addressed two critical concerns for Kyiv: intelligence sharing and access to the Starlink satellite network. Following their October 20 meeting in Oslo, Zelenskyy said Ukraine was again receiving American intelligence that helps provide early warnings of incoming Russian ballistic missile attacks. The information is particularly important as Ukrainian authorities work to protect civilians and strengthen the country’s defenses against continued Russian strikes. Zelenskyy also expressed hope that Ukraine’s Starlink connection would be fully restored “maybe in 48 hours,” offering a possible timeline for resolving disruptions affecting military communications. The satellite network has become an important tool for Ukrainian forces, supporting battlefield coordination and drone operations. However, his statement expressed an expectation rather than confirmation that full service would be restored within that timeframe.

The discussions come amid strained relations between Washington and Kyiv over military assistance, intelligence cooperation and restrictions affecting satellite communications. Zelenskyy’s meeting with Witkoff also involved Norwegian and Finnish leaders, reflecting broader European efforts to keep diplomatic channels open as the United States pursues negotiations with Russia. Witkoff was expected to travel to Russia for talks with President Vladimir Putin, adding significance to the timing of the Oslo discussions. For Ukraine, reliable intelligence and satellite connectivity remain important to detecting incoming threats, coordinating military operations and responding to Russian attacks. Any sustained improvement in cooperation with Washington could strengthen Kyiv’s defensive capabilities, although questions remain about the future reliability of that support. With diplomatic efforts continuing alongside active fighting, the next developments in intelligence sharing, Starlink access and peace negotiations could have significant implications for Ukraine’s security.