US signals breakthrough as Russia and Ukraine expand peace talks to Europe

Russia and Ukraine have agreed to include European nations in their next round of peace talks, US envoy Jared Kushner said, as Washington works towards the war's "largest prisoner exchange", potentially reuniting thousands of people with their families. The expanded talks will address European security and territorial disputes, though major differences remain between Moscow and Kyiv. Kushner announced the development on Thursday, stating the US was encouraged by movement in negotiations despite substantial differences. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy welcomed the expanded format after meeting US envoys, while the Abu Dhabi meeting earlier this week marked the first talks between the sides in nine months. Russia controls roughly a fifth of Ukrainian territory, and Kyiv has ruled out surrendering the remaining parts of the eastern Donbas region. President Donald Trump has promised to end the war since returning to the White House but has yet to broker an agreement.