Zelensky says early warning system resumes following Rubio call

OSLO, Norway, October 21 ------ Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that Kyiv is once again receiving early warnings from its partners following recent Russian missile attacks that occurred without enough notice. Zelensky said the change happened after talks with his American counterparts, including a phone call with Secretary of State Marco Rubio earlier in the day.

“We are thankful that intelligence works now, and I’m speaking about early warning, which is very important for our people, for children, adults, civilians, because we can hear when ballistic is coming,” Zelensky said on a visit to Norway. “So we are thankful to American side now that it works.”

In other developments, Russia unleashed another missile and drone blitz of civilian areas in Ukraine, killing at least nine people, officials said, as Zelensky sought more American and European help during meetings in Norway. Zelensky was joined in Norway by U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff, who has tried without success to steer Russia and Ukraine toward a settlement to end the war. Jared Kushner, another envoy who is U.S. President Donald Trump’s son-in-law, was due to attend a meeting with Zelensky by videoconference.

Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre and Finnish President Alexander Stubb also met with Zelensky in Norway's capital. “We are maintaining all contacts that can help bring peace,” Zelensky said in a post on X after he arrived in Oslo. He said officials gathered in Norway would discuss strengthening Ukraine's air defenses and joint production of weapons.

Meanwhile, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters that Moscow hopes a meeting in Russia between the envoys and Russian President Vladimir Putin can be organized soon, perhaps as early as Wednesday. “We highly appreciate the mediation efforts of the American negotiators,” Peskov said.

Source: manilatimes.net