Kushner Reportedly Eyes NATO-Russia Council as Model for Post-War European Security Talks
Donald Trump's envoy Jared Kushner is reportedly considering the revived NATO-Russia Council as a template for broader European security negotiations after the war in Ukraine. European officials say a ceasefire must come first.
Kushner's proposed framework
Jared Kushner, U.S. special envoy and the president's son-in-law, is reportedly looking at the NATO-Russia Council as a model for wider talks on post-war security in Europe (Кушнер хочет возродить модель Совета НАТО-Россия в рамках усилий по прекращению войны — Washington Post – NV) (Кушнер предложил использовать Совет Россия — НАТО в качестве модели для будущих переговоров по безопасности в Европе – Meduza). According to a U.S. official familiar with the negotiations, Kushner has tied efforts to secure a truce in Ukraine to a push for multilateral talks between Russia and Europe on the continent's security order (Кушнер пропонує відновити формат Ради НАТО-Росія для обговорення безпеки Європи, — WP – Espreso) (WP: Кушнер хоче відродити модель Ради НАТО-Росія в рамках зусиль щодо припинення війни – Українська правда).
Background on the council
The NATO-Russia Council was set up after the Cold War to develop cooperation and coordinate military and political action between Moscow and NATO members. It was created in 2002. Its activity was suspended in 2014 after Russia invaded Ukraine and annexed Crimea. Its last meeting took place in January 2022, and work had already been paused in 2008 following the war in South Ossetia.
European position
European officials told the Washington Post that they are prepared for dialogue with Russia but will agree to a security framework only once a truce in Ukraine is reached. An official from a close U.S. ally said both tracks could move forward, but that a peace agreement on Ukraine must be concluded before any security architecture deal. An official from another key European country acknowledged the approach carries many risks, yet said taking part is better than staying out, while insisting the questions can only be discussed after the war ends.
Diplomatic reaction
Earlier in November, Kushner wrote on social media that Washington was working on a new European security system that would take into account the interests of all sides. The Financial Times reported that the statement came as a surprise in Europe. European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas responded that Europe already has a security architecture, with NATO and the European Union both playing their roles.
What comes next
The central disagreement between the sides is sequencing: Washington appears to want the Ukraine truce and the wider security talks to advance together, while Europe insists on a ceasefire before any framework is discussed. Russian President Vladimir Putin has reportedly responded positively to the broader European security idea.
Sources
- [1]WP: Кушнер хоче відродити модель Ради НАТО-Росія в рамках зусиль щодо припинення війни· Українська правда
- [2]
Кушнер предложил использовать Совет Россия — НАТО в качестве модели для будущих переговоров по безопасности в Европе· Meduza
- [3]
Кушнер хочет возродить модель Совета НАТО-Россия в рамках усилий по прекращению войны — Washington Post· NV - [4]Кушнер пропонує відновити формат Ради НАТО-Росія для обговорення безпеки Європи, — WP· Espreso
- #JaredKushner
- #NATORussiaCouncil
- #EuropeanSecurityTalks
- #UkraineCeasefire
- #PostWarEuropeSecurity
Story graph
Connected stories
Kushner Reportedly Eyes NATO-Russia Council as Model for Post-War European Security Talks
Donald Trump's envoy Jared Kushner is reportedly considering the revived NATO-Russia Council as a template for broader European security negotiations after the…