US asks Russia to draft European security deal with de-escalation steps

The US has asked Russia to draft a new European security agreement proposal, specifying both its demands and its own steps to de-escalate tensions, according to Axios. The proposal, a key topic in Abu Dhabi talks, aims to address Moscow's long-standing concerns about NATO expansion as part of a broader deal to end the war in Ukraine. Trump envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff plan to reiterate this demand during a Thursday meeting with Vladimir Putin in Moscow. The US also wants Russia to allow European representatives to join upcoming peace talks, hoping this will make European governments more open to a wider security agreement. Washington has made clear it will not grant Russia veto power over European security matters.