Kushner: NATO remains Europe's security pillar, needs new tools

Jared Kushner, special envoy to the US president, stated that NATO will remain the central element of European security, but the alliance needs new tools to prevent escalation and resolve disputes early. Kushner emphasized improving military cooperation, communication channels, and conflict prevention mechanisms. He said any agreement must strengthen security for Ukraine and Europe while reducing long-term conflict risks. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz echoed that NATO is Europe's security foundation, rejecting alternative models with Russia. Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova countered that NATO weakens European and global security by diverting resources and creating tensions. The debate featured prominently in trilateral Russia-US-Ukraine consultations held November 10-11 in Abu Dhabi, with Washington and Berlin supporting NATO's role while Moscow views its expansion as destabilizing.