Between Russia and Ukraine: India’s Foray as a Peacemaker

WASHINGTON, Nov 12 - US President Donald Trump's envoy and son-in-law Jared Kushner said on Thursday that Russia and Ukraine have agreed to expand the upcoming round of US-brokered peace talks to include European nations. This move comes as Washington looks towards the largest prisoner exchange of the war, potentially reuniting thousands of people with their families.

Kushner stated that the inclusion of European partners would allow for discussions on broader postwar European security arrangements alongside territorial issues between Ukraine and Russia. While Washington expressed encouragement over the progress made, Kushner emphasized that significant differences still remain.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy welcomed the news of European presence at the upcoming talks, hoping the agenda would cover efforts towards ceasefires and defusing the conflict. He emphasized the importance of the process resuming after the last round of talks in Abu Dhabi, which was the first in nine months.

The US envoys, Steve Witkoff and Kushner, traveled to Moscow to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin and to Dublin to meet with Zelenskiy. In his statement, Kushner highlighted that a lasting end to the fighting requires credible security guarantees and reciprocal de-escalation commitments to minimize the risk of future conflict.

Both Kyiv and Moscow admitted to major differences remaining despite some progress, particularly on territorial issues. Russia currently controls a significant portion of Ukraine, while Kyiv refuses to relinquish its eastern region of Donbas.