US to mediate new round of negotiations to end Russia-Ukraine war

According to The Hill, Witkoff said the "discussions will focus on post-war security arrangements, de-escalation, humanitarian efforts, and next steps toward peace."[1]Axios reports that Kushner and Witkoff will lead the U.S. delegation for the talks in Abu Dhabi.[3]Witkoff said American negotiators will also meet in Brussels this week with Britain, France, Germany, the EU and NATO to discuss "security guarantees for Ukraine, Europe's post-war security architecture and economic opportunities to support Ukraine's reconstruction"[2], UPI reports.According to Reuters, as carried by The New Arab, Putin agreed to a new round of trilateral talks after meeting Witkoff in St Petersburg two weeks ago[4]. UPI reports that Putin aide Yury Ushakov said Russia would be "ready in principle" to resume the trilateral talks[2].The Times of Israel, citing Reuters, reports that the last US-mediated peace talks took place in February before the United States and Israel launched a war against Iran.[5]The Times of Israel also reports that Ukraine and Russia remain far apart when it comes to the terms of any possible peace deal[5]. According to dpa, as carried by Yahoo, Zelensky has expressed hope that the EU will also take part in the talks.[6]