Kushner says U.S. facilitating direct engagement between Europe and Russia amid push for Ukraine peace
U.S. outlines diplomatic effort
President Donald Trump’s special envoy, Jared Kushner, said Saturday that the United States is facilitating direct contact between Russia and European partners. He said officials are also preparing topics for the next trilateral talks.
Kushner said discussions had generated several ideas that are being examined. He said some could produce breakthroughs, while others might become proposals to narrow remaining differences.
Zelenskyy warns of wider agenda
Zelenskyy told reporters Friday that expanding discussions to a new European security framework could be dangerous and should not become the main focus. His remarks were embargoed until Saturday.
He said he believed Moscow wanted to revisit broader European security issues, rather than concentrate only on ending the war. Zelenskyy said he was certain Putin’s ideas included changing borders in Europe, which he warned could lead to conflict or escalation.
Ukraine seeks security package
Ukraine is discussing a broad security arrangement with its partners, Zelenskyy said. It could include specific commitments from NATO and the European Union, a strong Ukrainian military, financial support for a defined period and a recovery plan.
He said the arrangement would not recognize occupied territories as Russian. Zelenskyy also rejected the idea of enshrining Ukraine’s neutrality, noting that Ukraine is not currently in NATO.
Ukraine says it must be included
Zelenskyy said NATO would remain a central part of European security, supported by stronger military, communication, deconfliction and reciprocal de-escalation mechanisms. He said practical measures should help resolve disputes before they become crises.
He said any final agreement must be accepted by the relevant parties and that Trump would support only arrangements that improve security for Ukraine and Europe and reduce the risk of future conflict. Zelenskyy said the order should be a ceasefire, an end to the war and then security guarantees for Ukraine, adding that European security guarantees cannot exist without Ukraine.
Key points
- He said new ideas from discussions are being examined ahead of another round of trilateral talks.
- Zelenskyy warned against making broader European security questions the main focus.
- Ukraine’s proposed security package could include NATO and EU guarantees, military strength, financial support and recovery planning.