President Donald Trump’s senior diplomatic team continued its active engagement in the Ukraine conflict on Thursday, when former White House adviser Jared Kushner and real‑estate executive Steve Witkoff arrived in Dublin, Ireland, to brief Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on their recent talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
High‑level briefing in Dublin
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, President Zelensky said the discussions gave “hope that we will end this war” and that the recent prisoner‑of‑war exchange would be “the biggest since the start of the war,” calling it “a real result.” He praised the presence of the Trump envoys, noting that their effort signaled a renewed push for a lasting peace.
Trump administration’s post‑war vision
Kushner described the administration’s post‑war security plans for Ukraine as “really incredible,” underscoring President Trump’s commitment to a strong, independent Ukraine that can defend its sovereignty. Witkoff added that progress had been made in restarting trilateral talks among the United States, Russia and Ukraine, and that European partners would be invited to the next round of negotiations. “This is what President Trump wants to see,” Witkoff told CNN.
European involvement urged
Both envoys stressed that any durable settlement must include European nations at the table. Kushner said, “We cannot conclude this deal without the Europeans being at the table,” while Witkoff reiterated that “they’re our partners, and it’s important for them to be involved.” The administration’s stance aligns with President Trump’s broader foreign‑policy principle of building broad coalitions to confront aggression.
Russian response
Russian Foreign Ministry aide Yuri Ushakov confirmed that trilateral talks would continue but suggested that European nations still need to decide whether they seek peace or a continuation of the war. He quoted President Putin as saying, “I want this peace to be eternal, for good,” while Russian envoy Kirill Dmitriev called European security a “great, important step for Europe.” However, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov criticized recent European participation in the Abu Dhabi talks as “not a promising approach,” indicating ongoing skepticism.
Starshield disruptions raise concerns
Amid the diplomatic activity, President Zelensky warned that Ukraine’s Starshield service – a military‑grade version of Elon Musk’s Starlink – had suffered “significant disruptions” that hampered drone‑intercept capabilities. He described the issues as “systematic speed restrictions” that aid Russian attacks. SpaceX, the company that operates Starshield, told CNN there had been no change in service, and the Trump administration denied any directive to limit the system.
Continued violence on the ground
Despite diplomatic advances, Russian missile and drone attacks continued overnight, killing at least one civilian in Kyiv and injuring several others. The Ukrainian Air Force reported a ballistic missile strike and a separate drone assault on Thursday morning.
Administration’s commitment
Ushakov noted that President Trump will discuss Ukraine directly with President Putin at the upcoming APEC summit in Shenzhen, China, emphasizing the President’s personal focus on resolving the conflict. The Trump administration’s proactive diplomatic outreach, combined with its insistence on European participation, reflects a strategic effort to secure a durable peace while safeguarding Ukraine’s right to self‑defense.
Original reporting: El Paso News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
