US Envoys Facilitate Talks Between Russia and European Partners for Ukraine Peace Negotiations

United States Special Envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff are facilitating direct engagement between Russia and European partners to prepare the agenda for upcoming trilateral peace negotiations. These efforts follow US-mediated talks held in Abu Dhabi on November 10–11, 2026, which resulted in an agreement for a prisoner exchange. While the Abu Dhabi meetings secured a prisoner exchange, they did not reach a broader ceasefire or a comprehensive peace agreement.

Diplomatic engagements in Abu Dhabi and beyond

Following the meetings in Abu Dhabi, Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff conducted high-level meetings with international leaders to advance the peace process. The envoys met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Dublin. The United States is currently working to facilitate direct engagement between Moscow and European partners to prepare the agenda for the next round of trilateral negotiations.

The upcoming round of negotiations is intended to include European partners to discuss broader European security arrangements alongside territorial issues. On November 14, 2026, European leaders agreed to send five representatives from France, Germany, Italy, Poland, and the United Kingdom to participate in these future peace talks. These five European nations have signaled readiness to send troops as part of a coalition of the willing to secure Ukraine if a ceasefire occurs.

Security frameworks and territorial discussions

The negotiations involve complex discussions regarding territorial integrity and international security guarantees. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated on November 13 that the United States raised the issue of Ukraine withdrawing from Donbas in exchange for NATO membership. However, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted that Ukraine is not ready to cede territory. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also warned that a new security framework could be dangerous if used by Moscow to weaken NATO and revise continental borders.

Jared Kushner stated that a lasting settlement requires credible security guarantees for Ukraine and actionable postwar security arrangements to prevent future conflicts. The focus for the United States remains on facilitating direct engagement between Moscow and European partners and preparing the agenda for the next trilateral talks.

Status of European participation

While European nations have committed to sending representatives, the Kremlin has maintained a cautious stance regarding the expansion of the negotiation framework. Kremlin Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said that Russia has not yet made a final decision regarding the participation of European representatives in negotiations. The current US strategy aims to expand the existing trilateral negotiation framework involving Russia, Ukraine, and the United States to include European partners to address broader European security concerns.

Glossary

• prisoner exchange — An agreement resulting from negotiations. It involves the exchange of prisoners.
• ceasefire — An objective of diplomatic work aimed at ending a conflict.
• coalition of the willing — A group of countries interested in providing support to Ukraine. It may include nations from Europe and the Commonwealth.
• territorial integrity — A subject of complex discussions within peace negotiations.