US Asks Russia to Draft New European Security Agreement

The United States has asked Russia to draft a new security agreement with Europe, according to two sources familiar with the proposal cited by Axios and The Moscow Times. The proposal was a key point in peace negotiations over the Ukraine war held in Abu Dhabi over the past two days. Russian representatives at the meeting said the full-scale war in Ukraine began because former US President Joe Biden did not respond to a letter from Vladimir Putin outlining security concerns. In response, Donald Trump's special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner proposed that the Russian side prepare a new draft addressing Moscow's concerns and demands, including "symmetric measures" Russia is ready to take to reduce tensions with European countries. Trump's representatives arrived in Moscow on Thursday for an expected meeting with Putin to revisit the security agreement issue. Implementation would only be possible after the Ukraine war ends, one source said. Russian negotiator Vladimir Medinsky described the goal as creating a new comprehensive European security system, while European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Europe will begin discussions on a new security architecture only after the war concludes.