Russia and Ukraine agree to include EU in next round of talks

US President's special envoy Jared Kushner announced that Russia and Ukraine have agreed to include European Union representatives in the next round of negotiations. Kushner stated on social media platform X that both sides agreed to expand the next round of talks to include European partners, allowing for discussion of broader post-war European security mechanisms alongside territorial issues between Ukraine and Russia. He emphasized that a lasting ceasefire requires reliable security guarantees, conflict resolution mechanisms, and mutual de-escalation commitments. Earlier, Kushner had informed Russian President Vladimir Putin that Washington considers European participation in the Ukrainian settlement essential.