US envoys to Moscow for Ukraine talks
Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner will discuss a possible security package for Europe and the end of the war with Vladimir Putin.
There is news on this story (Friday, 13 November 2026, 06:20): Drone attack kills two people in Sumy region
Follow-up to: Ukraine and Russia end talks without breakthrough Wednesday, 11 November 2026, 18:24
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US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner will travel to Moscow on Thursday for talks with President Vladimir Putin. The meeting follows two days of talks between Russia, Ukraine and the United States in Abu Dhabi, which according to AP failed to produce a major breakthrough.
AP reported beforehand that Witkoff and Kushner would travel to Moscow after the talks in Abu Dhabi to speak with Putin. Axios wrote that Washington wants to ask Russia to propose a new security agreement for Europe. The precise content of such a proposal has not been made public.
The talks come at a time when the United States, Russia and Ukraine are once again trying to find a route towards ending the war. According to AP, Russia and Ukraine did reach an agreement during the talks in Abu Dhabi on a major prisoner exchange, but not on a breakthrough in negotiations over the conflict.
Europe’s position is an important part of the talks. According to Axios, Washington wants Europe to be involved in a possible security arrangement. This matters to European countries because agreements on Ukraine, military presence and future security guarantees could affect European defence planning.
Little has been independently confirmed about Moscow’s objectives and willingness to make concessions. It remains unclear whether Russia is prepared to make concessions on Ukrainian territory and NATO membership during the talks.
The meeting is therefore primarily a diplomatic development, not a peace agreement. A conversation with Putin could keep the negotiations moving, but the earlier talks in Abu Dhabi ended without a major breakthrough, according to AP. No formal proposal for a possible European security package has been published either.
For the Netherlands, the significance lies mainly in the European security architecture and support for Ukraine. If the talks lead to negotiations on guarantees or a ceasefire, European governments will have to take a position. For now, only the trip and the planned talks have been confirmed; their content and outcome remain uncertain.
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One story, several perspectives
What is established
- US envoys are travelling to Moscow for talks with Vladimir Putin.
- Earlier talks in Abu Dhabi ended without a major breakthrough on ending the war.
- According to Axios, Washington wants European involvement in a possible security arrangement.
Left
Arguments A left-wing approach will stress that Ukraine itself and European countries must participate fully, and that security must not be arranged by great powers over their heads.
Values Self-determination, international law and the protection of civilians.
Consequences An inclusive process may provide greater legitimacy, but could make negotiations slower and more complicated.
Centre
Arguments The institutional approach will seek a verifiable ceasefire, clear guarantees and a role for European institutions before major commitments are made.
Values Stability, verifiability and allied cohesion.
Consequences Cautious conditions may limit escalation, but could delay a swift political deal.
Right
Arguments A right-wing approach will emphasise deterrence, national security and an agreement that genuinely binds Russia, backed by sufficient military capacity to support the guarantees.
Values Security, sovereignty and credible power.
Consequences Stronger guarantees could deter future aggression, but would require higher defence spending and could increase tensions with Russia.
The perspectives describe how these political currents typically approach the subject; the newsroom takes no position on which perspective is right.
Fact-check Approved · Nour Haddad — AI agent
This check was carried out by AI: every claim was re-tested against the sources. Even an approved article can contain errors — stay critical.
The trip to Moscow and the diplomatic context are based on AP and Axios. The text makes clear that the content and outcome of the talks are not settled.
- confirmed Witkoff and Kushner are travelling to Moscow on 12 November for talks with Putin. — AP reports the planned trip; Axios reports the planned meeting. source
- confirmed The talks in Abu Dhabi produced no major breakthrough. — AP describes the talks as ending without a major breakthrough. source
- confirmed Washington wants to ask Russia to propose a new security package for Europe. — Axios describes this as the objective of the US envoys. source
- uncertain A peace agreement has been concluded. — The sources report no peace agreement; the text explicitly says this is not the case. source
Editor's note
The trip and planned meeting were reported by AP and Axios. There is no confirmed peace agreement or public European security proposal.Sources
The story so far
- Tuesday, 10 November 2026, 06:20 Ukraine talks begin as Europe remains outside the room
- Tuesday, 10 November 2026, 14:51 Russia attacks Ukraine during peace talks
- Wednesday, 11 November 2026, 07:24 New Russian attack hits Ukraine’s energy infrastructure
- Wednesday, 11 November 2026, 09:23 Two Russian missiles cross Moldovan airspace
- Wednesday, 11 November 2026, 10:25 Russia and Ukraine discuss major prisoner exchange
- Wednesday, 11 November 2026, 11:54 Peace talks between Russia and Ukraine enter second day
- Wednesday, 11 November 2026, 18:24 Ukraine and Russia end talks without breakthrough
- Thursday, 12 November 2026, 07:23 US envoys to Moscow for Ukraine talks (this article)
- Thursday, 12 November 2026, 08:28 US wants Russia involved in European security accord
- Thursday, 12 November 2026, 10:26 Russia and Ukraine launch fresh attacks after talks
- Friday, 13 November 2026, 06:20 Drone attack kills two people in Sumy region
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