Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has described an agreed prisoner exchange with Russia as a "real result" after US envoys held talks with Russian officials and President Vladimir Putin.
US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner described the negotiations as "very intense" and pledged to work towards US President Donald Trump's goal of ending the war. The three men spoke to media in Ireland on Thursday evening after discussions lasting almost an hour at Baldonnel Aerodrome, on the outskirts of Dublin, amid heavy security.
Prisoner Exchange and European Involvement
Mr Zelensky said there will be "the biggest exchange of war prisoners", adding: "Our soldiers will come home." He thanked all negotiators, saying: "This is a real result, this is very important and successful for the families and to all of us that people will come home to their families." He also welcomed progress towards including European representatives in negotiations next week, stating: "They will have a voice. This is important for us because the war is in Europe."
Mr Kushner described "very intense" negotiations involving Russia in Abu Dhabi, with many hours of meetings at night and in the morning. He said they had a "very detailed and productive" meeting with Mr Putin and his negotiating team, and that finalising the prisoner of war exchange was important. He added: "We cannot conclude this deal without the Europeans being at the table … and I think that we're able to achieve that with President Putin."
Diplomatic Efforts and European Support
Mr Witkoff said President Trump is "intent on leading the charge to end this war", adding: "We've got another meeting on the schedule, and we're all going to work very, very hard to get to that goal."
The conflict in Ukraine dominated a major political summit in Dublin on Thursday, where Mr Zelensky warned European leaders of Russia's desire to reshape the security framework of the continent. Taoiseach Micheál Martin said the EU is "potentially in a process" on negotiations for a peace agreement in Ukraine. UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham said UK national security adviser Jonathan Powell would join the Ukrainian president for talks with Mr Witkoff and Mr Kushner, but Downing Street later said the meeting was delayed and he would no longer attend.
Speaking after the conclusion of the European Political Community (EPC) meeting, Mr Martin rejected assertions that the US was the key player in peace talks, saying: "I think the presence of Volodymyr Zelensky at the EPC underpins the value for Ukraine of the European Political Community and the sense of solidarity, support that he has received from many of the countries around the table today." He added: "I think the Americans accept there should be a European voice at the table."
Security Concerns and Future Meetings
President of the European Council Antonio Costa said Russia had "decided to undermine" European security "by force, culminating in the invasion of Ukraine". He stated: "The future of European security cannot be discussed and decided without Europe."
Mr Zelensky also expressed concern about speed restrictions on SpaceX's Starshield satellite internet service over occupied parts of Ukraine where Russian drone attacks are launched from. He told EPC delegates that the 100mph restriction was limiting Ukraine's ability to take out fast-moving jet-powered drones, saying: "This means more Russian strikes get through, and more of our people are killed, our civilians are killed by Russia."
French President Emmanuel Macron said Europe's support for Ukraine was critical because "there is no more US support". He added: "We are those to support Ukraine. We are those to help them in this resistance war." Around 50 heads of state and senior EU officials attended the EPC, which was held in Dublin as part of Ireland's six-month presidency of the EU Council. A further meeting of the coalition of the willing in support of Ukraine is scheduled for next week in Berlin.
