Trump Says "Time for Somebody Else to Negotiate" for Ukraine as Witkoff Lands in Oslo for Talks With Zelensky

President Trump said Monday that it is time for someone other than President Volodymyr Zelensky to negotiate for Ukraine, a day before U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff was set to meet Zelensky in Oslo, Norway.

What Trump Said About Zelensky

"Zelensky is a man that should have had this war settled a long time ago," Trump told reporters on the South Lawn, the New York Post reported. "If he would have listened to me, and you remember the Oval Office, he would have had to settle a long time ago. I think it's time for somebody else to negotiate on behalf of Ukraine."

Trump also said, "Russia, frankly, has been fine on Ukraine. They haven't been doing much," according to the Post. He confirmed he was open to meeting Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping next month while he is in China. Zelensky was not invited to that proposed meeting, the Post reported, citing the Wall Street Journal.

Witkoff Arrives in Oslo

Witkoff has arrived in Norway, the BBC reported. Jared Kushner is expected to join by video link, along with Finnish President Alexander Stubb and officials from Britain, Poland, France, Germany, the European Union and NATO. Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre said Zelensky asked Norway and Finland to set up the meeting "at a critical time for Ukraine."

Rubio Calls Intelligence Claims 'Scandalous'

Secretary of State Marco Rubio, speaking in India, called claims that Ukrainians were dying because the U.S. was withholding intelligence "scandalous" and "outrageous," the BBC reported. He acknowledged that Patriot interceptor missiles may not yet have reached Ukraine but said nothing had been denied to Kyiv on purpose.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russia hopes a meeting with Witkoff can be arranged soon. It is not clear whether Witkoff will travel on to Russia after Oslo, the BBC reported.

Sources: New York Post: https://nypost.com/2026/10/19/us-news/trump-rips-zelensky-refers-to-infamous-oval-office-blowup-in-call-to-end-ukraine-war/ ; BBC: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ck9qzn193lrlo