US envoy Jared Kushner said Saturday he is working with Russia, Ukraine and Europe to advance peace talks on the war in Ukraine, including efforts to facilitate direct negotiations between Europe and Moscow.
Kushner told reporters that "both sides" understand compromises will be necessary to end the conflict. He and fellow envoy Steve Witkoff are working on next steps, he said.
The comments follow peace talks in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday that did not produce a breakthrough but resulted in a prisoner exchange. Leaders agreed Friday to send five European representatives—from the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy and Poland—to future peace talks.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Wednesday that European security cannot be addressed "without Europe." The Kremlin has signalled openness to talks with Europe but criticized the bloc for lacking concrete proposals.
Zelenskyy disclosed Friday that US negotiators asked in Abu Dhabi whether Ukraine would withdraw troops from its eastern Donbas region in exchange for NATO membership.
French President Emmanuel Macron posted Saturday that Europe must "state clearly" what it wants for the post-war period "including to the Russians." He said Ukraine has a key role in post-war European security alongside NATO.