US Diplomats to Moscow to Seek Putin’s Approval for European Peace Talks
Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff travel to Moscow to negotiate European involvement in Ukraine peace talks and finalize a historic prisoner exchange.
POLICY WIRE — Abu Dhabi, UAE — American officials are scheduled to land in Moscow this Thursday to request formal consent from Russian President Vladimir Putin for the inclusion of European nations in upcoming negotiations regarding the conflict in Ukraine.
Jared Kushner, the son-in-law of President Donald Trump who has been facilitating mediation efforts in Abu Dhabi, confirmed that he will be accompanied by White House envoy Steve Witkoff. Their primary objectives for the visit are to establish a schedule for the next round of talks and ensure Russia agrees to include European representatives in the process.
Kushner noted while addressing reporters that the presence of European stakeholders is essential to the process. He stated that his team has informed Putin and his staff on multiple occasions that a successful outcome requires their participation at the negotiating table, adding that he believes the Russian leadership is open to the idea.
The mediator expressed hope that the meeting with the Russian leader would be successful in securing Putin’s necessary endorsement for European involvement. Kushner suggested that obtaining this approval would facilitate significantly more movement on critical issues facing the conflict.
In another development, Kushner revealed that Russia and Ukraine have reached an agreement on a prisoner swap that is expected to be the largest since the commencement of hostilities. He indicated that the specific figures for the exchange are slated for confirmation on Thursday.
Reflecting on the two-day summit in Abu Dhabi, Kushner characterized the sessions as both difficult and substantial.
Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)
