Zelensky Welcomes European Involvement in US-Led Russia-Ukraine Peace Talks

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has welcomed a US proposal to include European Union representatives in the next round of peace negotiations with Russia. US envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff met Zelensky in Dublin on Thursday after holding discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow. Zelensky said European participation would ensure the EU has a voice in decisions affecting the continent’s future security. The discussions follow earlier negotiations in Abu Dhabi that failed to produce a breakthrough.

The proposed European involvement comes amid growing concerns among EU leaders about regional security and the future of Ukraine. Putin reportedly maintained that Russia’s position on the war and its territorial demands remain unchanged. However, US envoy Kushner said Putin was willing to consider European participation in the negotiations. Meanwhile, Russia and Ukraine agreed to another prisoner exchange, described as the largest since the full-scale invasion began in February 2022, although details regarding the number of prisoners and timing remain unclear.

Despite diplomatic efforts, major challenges continue to threaten progress towards a peace agreement. Around one-fifth of Ukraine remains under Russian occupation, while Kyiv has rejected Moscow’s demand to surrender parts of the eastern Donbas region. Zelensky also raised concerns about restrictions affecting Ukraine’s military use of Starlink’s Starshield satellite technology, which has been important for frontline communications and countering Russian drones. European leaders have warned that the war has fundamentally reshaped the continent’s security landscape.

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