European leaders gather in Dublin under the shadow of hybrid threats

President Volodymyr Zelensky touched down in Dublin on November 12 in preparation for the European Political Community summit. He planned to hold bilateral and multilateral meetings with partners over the next two days. The Ukrainian leader also revealed that U.S. special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner would join him in Ireland.

After the two-day peace talks involving Ukraine, Russia, and the U.S., Witkoff and Kushner announced they would travel to Moscow the following day to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The U.S. envoy expressed optimism about the situation, stating, "We see some openings and some opportunities." He added that they would subsequently return to Dublin to debrief President Zelensky following the summit.

For months, Washington-led peace efforts have been stalled, as the issue of territory remains a major obstacle. Moscow has insisted on Ukraine withdrawing from Donbas, a strategically important region in eastern Ukraine, and demanding a ban on Ukraine's NATO membership, restrictions on its military, and lifting limitations on the official use of the Russian language and the Moscow-linked Ukrainian Orthodox Church.

In contrast, Kyiv has refused to cede any territory it currently holds, formally recognizes Russian occupation, and opposes any limitations on its armed forces. Ukraine has instead proposed an unconditional ceasefire as the first step toward broader peace talks, a suggestion that the Kremlin has consistently rejected.