Russia - Ukraine: USA wants to bring Europeans to the negotiating table
US negotiator Jared Kushner calls on Europeans to name a joint negotiator
Quick Look
- The USA wants to involve Europe in efforts to end the war in Ukraine.
- US negotiator Jared Kushner called on the Europeans to name a joint negotiator.
- After two days of talks in Abu Dhabi under US mediation between Russia and Ukraine, there is to be another prisoner exchange.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
After two days of negotiations between Moscow and Kyiv in Abu Dhabi under US mediation, the USA wants to involve Europe in efforts to end the war in Ukraine. It was the first direct conversation between Russia and Ukraine in more than eight months. The only concrete result that was initially announced was another large prisoner exchange.
The USA wants to bring Europe on board in efforts to end the war in Ukraine. "We have to have the Europeans at the table," said US negotiator Jared Kushner after the two-day negotiations between Moscow and Kyiv in Abu Dhabi.
In the capital of the United Arab Emirates, teams from Russia and Ukraine negotiated with each other under US mediation for the first time in more than eight months. The only concrete result that was initially announced was another large prisoner exchange. In addition to Kushner, son-in-law of US President Donald Trump, special envoy Steve Witkoff from the USA was in Abu Dhabi.
According to Kushner, Europe should appoint negotiators
Kushner called on Europeans to end debate over who could represent them in talks. "If Europe could identify a person to speak on its behalf, that would be a greater success than getting the Russians to participate."
The question of who should be at the table for the alliance of states in the Ukraine negotiations has long been discussed in the EU - especially if there are talks at the top level.
Kushner and Witkoff want to meet Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Thursday. In their own words, they want to convince the Russian head of state that European states will take part in peace talks in the future. The EU and NATO must be an “integral part” of negotiations to end the war, said Kushner in Abu Dhabi. However, the Russians have their own "wishes and fears" when it comes to the question of Europe's participation in the talks.
Berlin wants to be involved in discussions
After the Ukraine talks in Abu Dhabi, the federal government assumes that Europe will be directly involved in continuing negotiations with Russia under US mediation. German government spokesman Stefan Kornelius explained in Berlin that Putin would be informed of the corresponding agreement between the Europeans present in Abu Dhabi and the USA. Germany was represented in Abu Dhabi by the Chancellor's foreign and security policy advisor, Günter Sautter.
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
Kushner and Witkoff will meet with Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Thursday.
Very likely · Within days
Europe names a joint negotiator for Ukraine talks.
Likely · Within weeks
Open Questions
- What specific conditions does Russia set for European participation?
- Who will Europe appoint as a joint negotiator?
- When will Kushner and Witkoff's meeting with Putin take place in Moscow?
- What other topics were negotiated in addition to the prisoner exchange?
