On Tuesday 20 October 2026 Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was due to hold talks in Oslo with US envoy Steve Witkoff and European leaders on ending the war with Russia. The prime ministers of Norway and Finland are taking part. Jared Kushner, Donald Trump’s son-in-law, was to join remotely, Al Jazeera reports.
Relations between Kyiv and Washington are strained. Trump publicly criticises Zelensky. Zelensky, in turn, criticised the US lifting of sanctions on Russian diesel exports, calling it a “reward” for Putin. After speaking to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, however, he described a “constructive” conversation about interceptor missiles, intelligence and Starlink.
The fighting continues. On 20 October a Russian drone struck the Kyiv–Odesa highway, killing three people. Attacks on DTEK energy facilities in Odesa region left more than 32,000 families without power.
Editorial comment
The war in Ukraine affects fuel and energy prices in the UK too. Any real chance of peace could lower costs, but the talks themselves have not yet produced any agreement. Don’t build a quick fall in prices into your business plans.
What to do
- Plan energy and fuel costs cautiously – for now without assuming a quick peace.
- If you employ Ukrainians, check on gov.uk when their visas expire (Ukraine Permission Extension).
- When supporting Ukraine through fundraising, use only verified organisations registered with the Charity Commission.
What do you think?
Do you feel this in your business? Tell us in the comments below the article. We will cover the most interesting views in future editions.
Sources
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