European representatives to join next Ukraine talks, US envoy says

European representatives are set to join the next round of Ukraine peace talks after Vladimir Putin agreed to their participation, according to US envoy Steve Witkoff.

Witkoff said the green light for Europe followed recent contacts aimed at unlocking a broader negotiating track. The claim has not been detailed by Moscow and specifics of Europe’s role have not been released.

Talks follow Abu Dhabi meeting

The development comes after US-mediated discussions between Russian and Ukrainian delegations in Abu Dhabi. Those talks have not been fully disclosed, but they marked a fresh attempt to find common ground, according to the account provided to Washington’s interlocutors.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has welcomed Europe’s expected participation. His response signals Kyiv’s support for widening the format, though Ukraine has not set out conditions in public for the next session.

Prisoner exchange under pursuit

Jared Kushner says Washington is pursuing a potentially major prisoner exchange alongside the political track. No figures, timelines or identities have been given. It is not yet known how such an exchange would be structured or whether there is agreement from all sides.

Kushner’s characterisation indicates active US involvement, but there has been no independent confirmation of the scope or stage of those contacts beyond his comments.

What diplomats must decide

Diplomats must now agree the date, participants and agenda for the next meeting. That includes the security guarantees Europe is prepared to support. None of those points have been settled in public.

It is not yet known which European countries or institutions would attend, where the meeting would be held, or the level of representation. There is also no confirmed readout from Moscow or Kyiv on the framework for Europe’s role beyond Witkoff’s account and Zelenskyy’s welcome.

The agenda is expected to focus on immediate security needs and longer-term assurances, based on the issues flagged so far. Any security guarantees would depend on what European governments are ready to back. Those details remain to be negotiated.

With the format still taking shape, the timeline for the next round remains unclear. Until a schedule is agreed and invitations are confirmed, the scope of European participation and the status of a prospective prisoner swap remain unconfirmed.