Moscow: The United States has renewed efforts to advance negotiations aimed at ending the war in Ukraine after American envoys met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Dublin, raising the possibility of greater European involvement in the peace process. US presidential envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner met Putin at the Kremlin on November 12. Following the meeting, Witkoff said the Russian president had agreed to include European representatives in the next round of peace negotiations.
The announcement marked an important diplomatic development, as European countries have repeatedly called for a direct role in discussions that could determine the future of Ukraine and the security of the continent. However, the Kremlin has not independently confirmed the reported agreement. Russian foreign policy aide Yuri Ushakov, who briefed reporters after the meeting, did not confirm that European representatives would participate in the next round of talks. After their discussions in Moscow, Witkoff and Kushner travelled to Dublin, Ireland, where they met Zelenskyy. Kushner, who is US President Donald Trump's son in law, also took part in the discussions. The meeting took place alongside the European Political Community summit, which brought together European leaders to discuss regional security and other common challenges.
Zelenskyy welcomed the possibility of European participation, arguing that countries across the continent should have an equal role in negotiations affecting their security. He also highlighted progress towards a major prisoner exchange as an important outcome of the recent diplomatic discussions. The United States is working towards what could become the largest prisoner exchange of the war, potentially reuniting thousands of people with their families. However, the exact number of prisoners involved, the date of the exchange and the arrangements have not been announced.
The prisoner exchange discussions followed two days of US mediated negotiations between Russian and Ukrainian delegations in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, on November 10 and 11. The discussions focused mainly on humanitarian issues, including prisoner exchanges and the return of detained Ukrainian civilians and children. Security guarantees were also among the issues discussed. Although the negotiations produced progress on humanitarian matters, they did not result in a major breakthrough on the central disagreements preventing a peace agreement.
Territorial control remains one of the biggest obstacles. Russia continues to claim Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson, four Ukrainian regions it declared annexed in 2022. However, Moscow does not control all the territory within these regions and continues to seek full control of them. Ukraine has rejected surrendering its territory, particularly the remaining areas of Donbas in eastern Ukraine. The disagreement over the region remains a major challenge for negotiators seeking a settlement.
Security arrangements are another important issue. Russia opposes further NATO expansion and has repeatedly rejected the possibility of Western military forces being deployed in Ukraine following a peace agreement. Ukraine, meanwhile, wants credible security guarantees to prevent another Russian invasion in the future. Kyiv maintains that any settlement must protect its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The European response has also become an important part of the diplomatic process. European Council President António Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen reaffirmed their support for Ukraine after meeting Zelenskyy in Dublin.
European leaders have stressed that Ukraine must remain free to choose its international partners and alliances. They have also maintained that decisions concerning European security cannot be made without European participation.
Costa identified a ceasefire, the restoration of navigation in the Black Sea and the creation of conditions for a lasting peace agreement as important priorities. European leaders also reaffirmed their commitment to providing financial and military assistance to Ukraine.
Meanwhile, the fighting has continued despite renewed diplomatic efforts. Russian attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure and residential areas have raised further concerns about civilian safety as the country approaches another winter.
On November 12, Ukrainian authorities reported casualties and damage following Russian attacks, including a drone strike on a nine storey residential building in Kyiv. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported that one woman was killed and five people were injured. Damage to energy infrastructure has also increased concerns about electricity, heating and other essential services during the winter months.
The latest diplomatic meetings have raised hopes of renewed international cooperation, particularly with the possibility of European representatives joining future negotiations. However, there is no comprehensive ceasefire agreement or confirmed settlement on the major political and territorial disputes. The United States continues to pursue discussions involving Moscow and Kyiv, while European governments seek a stronger role in shaping the outcome.
Although the proposed prisoner exchange represents an important humanitarian step, disagreements over territory, security guarantees and Ukraine's future relationship with NATO remain unresolved. The coming negotiations will therefore be important in determining whether the renewed diplomatic engagement can lead to meaningful progress towards ending the war.