Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held talks with the leaders of Finland and Norway, received ambassadors’ credentials and reported on a military operation near Kupiansk, according to updates published on the presidential website on Oct. 27, 2026. Zelenskyy said he spoke with Finnish President Alexander Stubb and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre after their call with the Russian leader. He thanked them for supporting Ukraine’s diplomatic efforts and said they emphasized the need for “real de-escalatory steps” involving energy and infrastructure. In a separate ceremony, Zelenskyy accepted letters of credence from the newly appointed ambassadors of Canada, Spain, Switzerland, Egypt and Türkiye. The diplomats were identified as Tamara Ann Mawhinney, Adela Díaz Bernárdez, Heidi Grau, Ahmed Salama Mohamed Elhamshary and Fatma Ceren Yazgan. The president also said Ukrainian officials had briefed him on Operation Veles, conducted by the Khartiia unit in the Kupiansk sector. Zelenskyy described the operation as technologically advanced and said it had strengthened Ukrainian positions while limiting Russia’s ability to achieve its objectives in the area. Post navigation Zelenskyy Advances European Integration Talks