Dublin Summit: Europe Demands Seat at Ukraine Peace Table

Update

Europe Included in Ukraine Peace Talks as Hostilities Continue Amid Diplomatic Breakthrough

Jared Kushner expressed cautious optimism following meetings with Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelensky, noting that while significant discrepancies remain between Kiev and Moscow, progress has been made on the negotiation framework. Kushner documented a three-day diplomatic effort that began with trilateral negotiations in Abu Dhabi, followed by direct discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow, and concluded with a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Dublin. Access to this X (Twitter) content has been blocked to respect your consent choices. By clicking Accept cookies, you consent to the deposit of cookies by X (Twitter) and can thus access this interactive content. You can modify your cookie choices at any time or withdraw consent at the bottom of our pages. Learn more about our cookie policy and the privacy policy of this partner. President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that European partners would have a voice in the negotiations rather than remaining on the sidelines as they were during the preliminary talks in the United Arab Emirates, a stance endorsed by Jared Kushner. The Trump envoy reiterated this on X, confirming that both parties agreed to expand the next series of negotiations to include European partners. Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed on Thursday evening that European leaders will be present at the next round of negotiations aimed at ending the war, following his meeting with US envoys in Dublin. European nations have long demanded inclusion in the discussions, arguing that the settlement of the conflict directly impacts continental security, although Moscow had previously excluded them from preliminary talks between Russia and Ukraine. As is daily practice, the 20 Minutes editorial team is mobilized to provide all information on the conflict between Kyiv and Moscow. Diplomatic activity was intense throughout the week. Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff participated in two days of Ukrainian-Russian talks hosted by the United States in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday and Wednesday. On Thursday, the Trump envoys met Vladimir Putin in Moscow and subsequently Volodymyr Zelensky in Ireland. Despite palpable hope, the path to peace remains uncertain. ^[2]

Following detailed trilateral negotiations with Russian and Ukrainian delegations in Abu Dhabi, US envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff held direct discussions with Vladimir Putin in Moscow before traveling to Dublin to meet Volodymyr Zelensky. They also consulted with National Security Advisors from Ukraine, Germany, Italy, the European Union, France, Ireland, and Poland. Kushner stated that meaningful progress had been made in understanding concerns, identifying solutions, and establishing a path forward. Both sides agreed to expand the next round of negotiations to include European partners to address broader postwar security arrangements alongside territorial issues. A lasting end to the fighting requires credible security guarantees, deconfliction mechanisms, and reciprocal de-escalation commitments. No broader European security arrangements will be finalized without addressing Ukraine’s security concerns. Discussions on these interconnected issues will begin in parallel, with nothing finalized until a comprehensive agreement is reached, except for humanitarian measures. The parties are also working toward the largest prisoner exchange of the war, potentially reuniting thousands of families. Kushner noted that President Trump is determined to end the war, that significant differences remain, but that progress is encouraging, and that hard diplomatic work will continue to create a foundation for lasting peace and a sovereign, secure, and prosperous Ukraine. On social media, reactions to Kushner's announcement were mixed. User @rinsana commented that Ukraine should not give up territory and that Russia should have no say in Europe’s security architecture, NATO membership, or the EU. Another user, @Birdseyetrader, questioned Kushner’s qualifications and appointment process, asking if ‘son-in-law’ is considered a diplomatic credential. User @michelle_ogno congratulated him on becoming the most hated man in the world. On social media, user @rinsana commented that Ukraine should not give up territory and that Russia should have no say in Europe’s security architecture, NATO membership, or the EU, arguing that Russia is an enemy combatant and should be treated as one. User @Birdseyetrader questioned Kushner’s qualifications and appointment process, asking if ‘son-in-law’ is considered a diplomatic credential or if he is collecting tributes for President Trump. User @michelle_ogno congratulated Kushner on becoming the most hated man in the world. ^[3]

Donald Trump's envoy Jared Kushner announced on X that Ukraine and Russia have agreed to expand the next round of peace negotiations to include European countries. This development follows meetings between Kushner, Vladimir Putin, and Volodymyr Zelensky. Kushner explained that the inclusion of European partners allows for addressing broader postwar security arrangements alongside territorial issues between Ukraine and Russia. He also confirmed that the parties are working toward what would be the largest prisoner exchange of the war, potentially reuniting thousands of people with their families. After the Moscow meeting, Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff flew to Ireland to attend a European summit and meet Volodymyr Zelensky. Zelensky expressed pleasure at the prospect of European participation and indicated that the agenda should include steps towards a ceasefire and de-escalating the conflict. Following his meeting with the US envoys, Zelensky stated, 'We decided that we will work on an agenda about any kind of de-escalation, some kind of ceasefires,' adding that he hopes such an agenda will be included. Russian President Vladimir Putin warned European nations against sending peacekeeping troops into Ukraine in the event of a peace deal, characterizing such a move as a continuation of war. Putin also refused to soften his territorial demands and stated that Washington must work with its European allies to determine if they seek peace or war in Ukraine. Putin's comments highlighted the difficulty of negotiations due to sharp differences between Moscow and European capitals regarding the war's conclusion. Steve Witkoff told Russian state TV after meeting Putin in the Kremlin that European participation is considered a very important moment because Europe are partners and their involvement is important to Russia. Kushner informed Putin that Washington detected a significant shift in the European position and was confident that expanding talks would not hinder progress. Putin responded that Moscow had always been open to dialogue with the EU regarding Ukraine and had never broken off such dialogue, claiming it was Europe that had severed ties with the Russian Federation. He urged the US administration and Kushner to work with European allies so they could decide whether they want peace or war in Ukraine. Volodymyr Zelensky voiced concerns regarding new restrictions on US-made Starshield satellite communications used by Kyiv on the battlefield. Starshield is the military version of SpaceX's Starlink service. Disruptions to the service have affected the entire frontline and Russian-controlled parts of Ukraine. Zelensky described the US approach of discussing a new European security order with Russia as 'a bit strange,' suggesting that if American decisions treat Ukrainian territory as non-Ukrainian, it indicates problematic directions. SpaceX declined to comment. Hostilities continued during the diplomatic talks. A Russian drone strike killed two people in the northern Ukrainian region of Sumy. In Rivne, northwestern Ukraine, five people were injured after a drone hit an apartment building. In Russia's Belgorod region bordering Ukraine, a man was killed and four others injured in a drone attack. Additionally, Ukrainian agricultural company Kernel Holding suspended operations at all its oilseed extraction plants following a series of Russian attacks on its facilities. ^[4]

Update

Europe Secures Seat at Ukraine Peace Table as Direct Talks Approach

European leaders have secured a direct role in ceasefire negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, ending years of exclusion from preliminary talks. At an air base in Dublin on the sidelines of the European Political Community summit, Jared Kushner announced that Washington recognizes peace cannot be achieved without Europe at the table. Following consultations with officials from the European Commission, the EU Council, France, Germany, Italy, the UK, Poland, and Ireland, European diplomats agreed on Friday that a delegation comprising representatives from these core nations will represent the bloc in future talks. However, the inclusion of European partners is contingent on Moscow's agreement. Kremlin spokesman Dmitri Peskov stated that Russia must first assess the EU's 'real intentions' and verify its willingness to contribute to the peace process before committing to an expanded format. ^[5]

Amidst diplomatic breakthroughs, fears persist regarding unilateral US-Russia deals. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz proactively addressed concerns about a potential 'Yalta-style' arrangement by pre-emptively engaging with the US ahead of a planned meeting between Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump, potentially joined by Xi Jinping, scheduled for November 18–19 at the APEC summit in China. Meanwhile, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen emphasized that while European presence is critical, the immediate priority remains a ceasefire to avoid being drawn into traps designed by Moscow. Russian President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly insisted that any future negotiations with Zelensky must occur in Moscow, rejecting Western attempts to alter the venue. ^[5]

Update

US Facilitates Direct Russia-Europe Engagement in Ukraine Peace Push

Jared Kushner, acting as a negotiator with Russia and Ukraine, stated that the Trump administration seeks direct discussions between Moscow and US allies in Europe Bloomberg. According to Bloomberg, Russia has begun demanding discussions with Europe over continental security arrangements as a precondition for renewed US-led talks with Ukraine Bloomberg. Russia has recently begun demanding a discussion with Europe over security arrangements on the continent, which has divided members of the European Union. Moscow has made it a precondition of the renewed US-led talks with Ukraine, Bloomberg has reported. ^[6]

On November 14, Jared Kushner announced that the U.S. is now focused on facilitating direct engagement between Russia and Washington's European partners and preparing the agenda for the next round of trilateral talks The Kyiv Independent. Kushner and Steve Witkoff met separately with Presidents Volodymyr Zelensky and Vladimir Putin following two days of U.S.-brokered talks between Ukrainian and Russian delegations in Abu Dhabi, which ended without a breakthrough on a broader ceasefire or peace agreement The Kyiv Independent. Kushner confirmed via X that the current priority is fostering direct communication between Moscow and European partners to set the stage for subsequent trilateral negotiations The Kyiv Independent. Jared Kushner stated he is working with Russia, Ukraine, and Europe to advance peace talks, focusing on facilitating direct engagement between European capitals and Moscow Al Jazeera. Kushner told reporters on Saturday that both sides recognize the necessity of compromises to end the war, and he is now coordinating next steps with Steve Witkoff Al Jazeera. ^{[7] [8]}

The US envoy added that NATO will remain a critical pillar of European security and will provide credible security guarantees for Ukraine The Kyiv Independent. Kushner noted that several new ideas emerged from these discussions and are currently being explored, with some potentially leading to direct breakthroughs or evolving into proposals to bridge remaining gaps The Kyiv Independent. Regarding the composition of the European representation, leaders agreed on Friday to send five representatives from European countries to the future peace talks Al Jazeera. The Kremlin has signaled openness to negotiations with Europe but has criticized the bloc for a lack of concrete proposals Al Jazeera. The five participating countries are the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, and Poland, all of whom have expressed readiness to deploy troops as part of a coalition of the willing to secure Ukraine if a ceasefire is reached Al Jazeera. ^{[7] [8]}

President Volodymyr Zelensky revealed on November 13 that a new American proposal is under consideration, which would grant Ukraine NATO membership in exchange for withdrawing from territories it still controls The Kyiv Independent. Zelensky noted that this was the first time the issue of withdrawing from the Donbas region in exchange for joining NATO had been raised by the Americans The Kyiv Independent. French President Emmanuel Macron stated on X that the European bloc must clearly communicate its objectives for the post-war period, including to the Russian side Al Jazeera. Macron emphasized that Ukraine, possessing Europe's largest conventional army, will play a key role in the post-war security context alongside NATO, asserting that Ukraine fully belongs in the alliance Al Jazeera. Zelensky confirmed that during the Abu Dhabi talks, US negotiators inquired whether Ukraine would withdraw troops from the eastern Donbas region in exchange for NATO membership Al Jazeera. ^{[7] [8]}

Zelensky expressed concern that restrictions on the use of Starshield in occupied territories effectively mean the US is partially recognizing those areas as non-Ukrainian The Kyiv Independent. Zelensky specifically referred to the ban on using Starshield to target sites inside Russia, which has been partially extended to Ukrainian territories occupied by Moscow The Kyiv Independent. ^[7]

Recent Russian attacks across Ukraine have left at least 7 dead and 80 injured, with Zaporizhzhia Oblast being among the hardest hit, where three people, including a child, were killed The Kyiv Independent. Reports indicate that Russian forces suffered 1,710 casualties over a single day The Kyiv Independent. Leaks from Russia's official statistics agency indicate that the war effort has cost Russia at least 450,000 soldiers' lives Al Jazeera. ^{[7] [8]}

Update

Zelenskyy Warns Against Risks of New European Security Framework

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy cautioned that while the U.S. has suggested a new security framework for Europe, such discussions could be exploited by Moscow to weaken NATO and redraw continental borders. Zelenskyy emphasized that any transition to a new security order should follow a strict sequence: a ceasefire, the end of the war in Ukraine, and established security guarantees for Ukraine. He asserted that there can be no general security guarantees for Europe without first securing Ukraine. ^[9]