Dublin Talks Boost Ukraine Peace Momentum

European leaders meeting in Dublin reported momentum in peace negotiations for Ukraine, with US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner arriving from Moscow late Thursday to brief Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on progress. Around forty European states signed a joint security declaration, initiated by French President Emmanuel Macron, stipulating that decisions on European security matters should be made jointly with Europeans. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz insisted Ukraine and Europe must have a seat at the negotiating table alongside the US and Russia. NATO chief Mark Rutte said the US, Europe, and Ukraine are fully aligned on their position. EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced 500 generators and 200 buses for the winter, plus preparations for a 22nd sanctions package against Russia. Merz pushed for closing Ukraine's 2027 financing gap, urging all EU members to contribute more, a stance supported by Latvia's Prime Minister.