Russia and Ukraine agree to bring Europe into next round of peace talks

Talks in Moscow and Dublin

Steve Witkoff, the US mediator in Russia-Ukraine negotiations, and Jared Kushner, son-in-law of President Donald Trump, met Vladimir Putin in Moscow on 12 November 2026. Afterwards Witkoff told reporters that Europeans would attend the next meeting, and that he and Kushner were positive about the outcome. Late on 12 November, representatives of the United States, Britain, Poland, Germany, France, Italy and EU institutions held talks at a military airport in Dublin, according to Prime Minister Donald Tusk, who posted about it on X. Tusk wrote that the Americans reported the results of the Moscow meeting at that gathering. The Dublin talks followed intensive negotiations in Abu Dhabi. Kushner said he and Witkoff then met Volodymyr Zelensky at Casement Aerodrome in Baldonnel, Ireland.

Europe's seat at the table

Kushner announced on X that the two sides had agreed to widen the next round of talks to include European partners. He did not say who would represent Europe at the negotiating table.

“Both sides have now agreed to expand the next round of negotiations to include our European partners.”

After the meeting Zelensky confirmed that Europe will join the new round of peace talks. He listed three results of the week: a humanitarian outcome in the form of a prisoner release, a more active role for Europe so that it has an equal place at the table, and preparations for further multilateral meetings. Zelensky said the next round would take place in the week of 16 November 2026.

“At the next meeting, Europe will be part of the negotiating team during the negotiations. Not separately. It will have its own voice.”

Conditions for lasting peace

Kushner said a lasting peace requires reliable security guarantees, mechanisms to prevent incidents and mutual commitments to de-escalation that reduce the risk of future conflict. He said wider European security arrangements and a halt to fighting would be discussed in parallel, and that nothing beyond humanitarian arrangements would be finalized until a comprehensive agreement is reached. He also said no broader European security settlement would be finalized without taking Ukraine's security concerns into account.

“We will not reach this agreement without Europeans at the table.”

Kushner also said work was under way on a prisoner exchange that would be the largest since the war began and could reunite thousands of people with their families. He said negotiating tracks, a timetable and further details would be announced soon.

Summit backdrop in Dublin

Dublin hosted the ninth European Political Community summit at the Convention Centre on Thursday, 12 November 2026, organised under Ireland's presidency of the Council of the EU. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa attended. The summit's theme was "Europe: strong, secure and connected". A security operation described as the largest in the country's history closed parts of central Dublin and diverted traffic from wide areas of the city centre.