US plans next round of Ukraine peace talks as new proposals emerge, Kushner says
US President's Special Envoy Jared Kushner (photo: Getty Images)
The US is working to arrange direct contacts between Moscow and European partners and is preparing the agenda for the next round of trilateral talks. New ideas have emerged during consultations with the parties that could help bridge their differences, according to the US President's son-in-law and special envoy Jared Kushner.
According to Kushner, following trilateral meetings and talks with Putin and Zelenskyy, he and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff continue to hold close consultations with Russia, Ukraine, and European partners.
The US is currently focused on facilitating direct engagement between Moscow and Europe and preparing the agenda for the next round of trilateral negotiations.
Kushner said new ideas had emerged during the discussions and were now being explored. According to him, some could lead directly to breakthroughs, while others could form the basis of new proposals to help bring the parties' positions closer together.
Kushner acknowledged that media reports had highlighted maximalist positions on both sides and harsh political rhetoric.
"In our private discussions, both sides understand that practical compromises will be necessary to end this war," he wrote.
The special envoy also stressed that the US team would continue to maintain the confidentiality required for such sensitive negotiations.
Zelenskyy also spoke about new ideas in the negotiations the previous day. According to him, the Americans asked Ukraine for the first time whether it would agree to withdraw from Donbas in exchange for NATO membership.
The president reiterated that Ukraine would not give up its territory and said Kyiv was working with its partners on a comprehensive security package: NATO and EU guarantees, a strong military, and a reconstruction plan with clearly defined funding sources.
Zelenskyy also announced preparations for a large-scale prisoner exchange involving more than 1,000 for more than 1,000.
Meanwhile, Moscow is putting forward its own demands regarding European security.
According to media reports, Russia is once again demanding that NATO withdraw its forces to their 1997 positions.
Bild also reported that the Kremlin wants Finland to leave the Alliance and NATO bases to be removed from the Baltic states, but Dmitry Peskov denied that such conditions had been put forward.
