Kushner says US working toward 'largest prisoner exchange' of Russia's war in Ukraine

Jared Kushner, US envoy and son-in-law of President Donald Trump, announced that Russia and Ukraine agreed to expand peace talks to include European nations, and that Washington is working toward the largest prisoner exchange of the war. Kushner spoke after meeting Ukrainian President Zelensky in Dublin and Russian President Putin in Moscow. The next round follows talks in Abu Dhabi, the first in nine months. Zelensky welcomed European involvement. Major differences remain, especially on territorial issues.

US President Donald Trump's envoy and son-in-law Jared Kushner announced on Thursday that Russia and Ukraine have agreed to expand the next round of peace talks to include European nations, as Washington works toward what he called the 'largest prisoner exchange' of the war. Kushner wrote on X that the exchange could potentially reunite thousands of people with their families, without providing further details. The remarks followed a meeting between Kushner, US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Dublin, after the envoys traveled to Moscow to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin. Zelensky welcomed the news of European participation, saying he hoped the agenda would include ceasefire efforts. Witkoff stated that Putin agreed to let European representatives join the next round, though the Russian president urged Washington to determine whether European allies wanted peace or war. Kushner said a lasting end to the fighting required credible security guarantees and reciprocal de-escalation commitments. The next round of talks follows a meeting in Abu Dhabi, the first in nine months. Major differences remain, particularly on territorial issues; Russia holds a fifth of Ukraine, and Kyiv refuses to give up the rest of the Donbas region.