‘The only way to get this done’: Why the US wants Europe at Ukraine talks next time

The DW.com report identifies both men as US officials participating in discussions related to Ukraine peace talks. The meeting took place in Russia, though the specific location within the country is not specified in the coverage. This diplomatic engagement occurs against the backdrop of ongoing efforts to negotiate an end to the conflict in Ukraine, with the United States appearing to take an active role in direct talks with Russian leadership.

Coverage from POLITICO.eu emphasizes a parallel strategic push by the United States to ensure European participation in any subsequent rounds of Ukraine peace negotiations. The outlet's headline frames this as "the only way to get this done," suggesting that Washington views European involvement as essential for the viability or legitimacy of any future agreement. POLITICO.eu's reporting indicates that the US is actively advocating for a broader diplomatic format that includes European nations, rather than limiting negotiations to bilateral US-Russia or Russia-Ukraine channels. The coverage does not specify which European countries the US wants at the table or the exact format envisioned.

The context for these developments includes the prolonged war in Ukraine that began with Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022. Previous peace efforts, including the Minsk agreements and various diplomatic initiatives, have failed to produce a lasting settlement. The involvement of Kushner, who served as a senior advisor during the Trump administration, and Witkoff, a real estate developer and longtime Trump associate, signals a potential shift in diplomatic personnel compared to traditional State Department-led negotiations. Their meeting with Putin suggests a direct channel between the incoming or current US administration and the Kremlin, bypassing some conventional diplomatic structures.

What to watch next includes whether the Kushner-Witkoff meeting with Putin produces any public statements or agreed-upon frameworks for future talks. Coverage does not yet specify the outcomes of their discussion or whether a timeline for subsequent negotiations was established. The extent to which European nations respond to the reported US push for their inclusion remains unclear, as does Ukraine's position on the proposed format. Future diplomatic movements, including any scheduled follow-up meetings or changes in the negotiating parties, will indicate whether this initiative gains traction.