Kushner Says Europe Must Be at Table for Ukraine Peace Talks
said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and US envoy Jared Kushner at Casement Aerodrome in Dublin on Thursday.
The remarks followed a meeting between US envoys and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow, as international efforts to negotiate an end to the war in Ukraine continued.
Envoys Brief Zelensky in Dublin
US special envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff stopped in Dublin on Thursday night after holding trilateral peace talks in Abu Dhabi and a subsequent meeting in Moscow with Vladimir Putin. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, attending the European Political Community summit in the Irish capital, was briefed on the discussions at Casement Aerodrome.
.@SEPeaceMissions, @jaredkushner, and I met in Ireland following all the negotiations held this week. First, a humanitarian outcome – prisoners will be released, and we are counting on the largest prisoner exchange since the start of this war. The second outcome – we are… pic.twitter.com/C7VvLrCnNR
“We cannot conclude this deal without Europeans being at the table,” US envoy Jared Kushner said.
Russia has “accepted” a prisoner exchange, Zelensky said, describing it as a “real result”. The two sides could exchange up to 1,500 prisoners each, though the exact number and timeline were yet to be determined.
President Trump is determined to bring an end to this horrible war, which has caused enormous loss of life, destruction, and suffering. We are working hard to find a negotiated solution that can deliver lasting peace and create the conditions for a sovereign, secure, and…
Putin Insists on Territorial Control and Warns of Foreign Troops
During the talks at the Kremlin, Vladimir Putin took a hard line, refusing to soften territorial demands and insisting on full control over four Ukrainian regions that Moscow claims to have annexed. Putin also warned that Russia would target any foreign troops deployed to Ukraine. Meanwhile, Russian lead negotiator Vladimir Medinsky told reporters that the entire post-WWII security system in Europe is flawed and requires sweeping change.
Zelensky criticized the US approach of discussing a new security order directly with Russia as “a bit strange”.
Zelensky Reports Deliberate Speed Restrictions on Drone Communications
In addition to diplomatic developments, Zelensky raised concerns regarding disruptions to satellite communications. Ukrainian military units have recorded speed restrictions limiting drones to 161 kilometers per hour, or 100 miles per hour, along the frontline and in Russian-occupied territory. Zelensky said the disruption appeared to be deliberate rather than a technical fault.
Martin said that authorities must perform due diligence to identify those responsible without relying on hunches.
In Dublin, I met with the national security advisors of the E4 countries – the United Kingdom, Germany, France, and Italy – as well as those of the European Commission and the European Council. I thanked them for their engagement in communication with the American side, their… pic.twitter.com/Dh6OUHshbh
Next Steps in the Peace Process
Negotiations are set to continue with European representatives included at the table.
“It’s not about individuals; what matters is that Putin is prepared to hold talks,” Friedrich Merz told reporters.
As in every #EPC summit, Ukraine was at the heart of today’s discussions in Dublin. Since the start of the Russian full-scale invasion of Ukraine, it has been clear that Europe’s security and peace in Ukraine are inseparable. https://t.co/8KixeuoihM