US to seek Putin’s approval for Europe to join Ukraine peace talks
After two days of substantive but difficult negotiations in Abu Dhabi, Russia and Ukraine have reached an agreement in principle on what Jared Kushner described as likely to be the largest prisoner exchange of the war. The final number of prisoners involved is expected to be confirmed on Thursday, when the next stage of diplomatic contacts is also due to be discussed.
Kushner and White House envoy Steve Witkoff will travel to Moscow on Thursday to meet Vladimir Putin. Their aims are to agree a date for the next round of Ukraine peace negotiations and to obtain Putin’s approval for European representatives to take part. Kushner said the United States had repeatedly told Putin and his team that Europe needed to be involved for the talks to make meaningful progress, and that Russian officials appeared receptive.
The question of Europe’s role remains politically sensitive. Ukraine’s leader, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, has welcomed the direct negotiations but wants to be consulted about which European representatives are chosen. The Abu Dhabi meetings also began work on a possible new security structure for Europe once Russia’s war in Ukraine ends, giving the talks a broader focus beyond the immediate prisoner exchange and the next negotiating date.
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