Kushner seeks Europe-Russia talks to advance Ukraine peace efforts
US envoy Jared Kushner said he is working to facilitate direct talks between Europe and Russia as part of efforts to advance Ukraine peace negotiations, according to statements made Saturday. Kushner and fellow envoy Steve Witkoff are focusing on next steps after Tuesday's Abu Dhabi talks failed to achieve a breakthrough but resulted in a prisoner exchange. European leaders agreed Friday to send representatives from the UK, France, Germany, Italy, and Poland to future talks, with the Kremlin signaling openness to negotiations. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stressed that European security cannot be discussed without Europe, while French President Emmanuel Macron said the bloc must clearly state its post-war intentions to Russia. Zelenskyy also revealed US negotiators asked whether Ukraine would withdraw troops from Donbas in exchange for NATO membership.