️🇺🇸🇷🇺🇺🇦 - The US has asked Russia to propose a new security deal with Europe as part of efforts to end the war in Ukraine, with US officials heading to Moscow on Thursday to seek President Vladimir Putin's approval for European participation in future peace talks, according to Axios and POLITICO.
️ White House envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, who have just finished two days of talks in Abu Dhabi, aim to secure Putin's "blessing" for Europe to have a seat at the table and sign off on what would be the largest prisoner exchange since the start of the war.
Kushner said European participation was critical to discussions on overhauling Europe's future security architecture -- a longstanding Russian demand that has alarmed some European officials. "We need the Europeans to be at the table," Kushner told Politico, adding that the U.S. Passed this directly to Putin and his team, who seem receptive.
️ The US also wants to launch a third channel of negotiations between European countries and Russia to find new ways to reduce tensions and prevent conflicts. However, some European countries do not trust the idea, fearing that it could weaken NATO. Russia remains opposed to European involvement, while European governments are skeptical of the proposed deal.
️ The Abu Dhabi talks were the first tripartite meeting between Russia, Ukraine and the US since February. No progress was announced on critical issues such as ceasefires covering energy infrastructure, shipping in the Black Sea or territory, but the fact that the sides met again after nine months was seen as an important step.