Nov 14, 2026, 02:30 PM UTC

United States negotiators Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff have announced plans to include European representatives in future negotiations aimed at ending the war in Ukraine. Speaking after meetings in Moscow and Dublin, Kushner stated that European governments should designate a single envoy to participate in upcoming discussions.

According to US officials, Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed to broaden the scope of talks to encompass broader post-war European security structures alongside territorial matters. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy endorsed the move, declaring that European partners must have a direct say in determining final peace terms. Although significant diplomatic disagreements remain between Kyiv and Moscow, envoys reported preliminary steps toward a major prisoner exchange.

Sources: Der Spiegel, DW, FAZ, ORF, Tagesschau

Trilateral negotiations between American, Ukrainian, and Russian representatives have concluded in Abu Dhabi, marking the end of a two-day summit. US mediators Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff are now traveling to Moscow to consult with Russian President Vladimir Putin before heading to Dublin to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

During the meetings, Russian officials circulated demands for NATO forces to withdraw to their pre-1997 positions, reiterating claims made prior to the 2022 invasion. Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov rejected European proposals for an immediate truce in Ukraine.

European officials, including representatives from NATO, the European Commission, and E4 nations, held parallel strategy meetings in the UAE. Separately, data reportedly breached from Russia's statistics agency Rosstat by Ukrainian and Belarusian hackers indicates Russian military casualties have reached 412,576.

Sources: ANSA, Corriere della Sera, Il Messaggero, Il Sole 24 Ore, La Repubblica

Diplomats and analysts are weighing potential paths forward after trilateral talks between Ukraine, Russia, and the United States in Abu Dhabi. While negotiators agreed on a major exchange of over 2,000 prisoners of war and addressed the return of displaced Ukrainian children, broader peace prospects remain stalled by deep structural divides.

Ukrainian officials expressed optimism regarding recent discussions, pointing to potential momentum toward a resolution. However, leaked reports indicate Russian negotiators presented expansive security demands extending beyond Ukrainian territory, including calls for Finland to exit NATO and restrictions on alliance deployments in the Baltic states. European nations are now preparing for broader discussions regarding the continent's future security architecture, as fundamental differences over territorial sovereignty and defense guarantees continue to prevent a breakthrough.

Sources: Český rozhlas Plus, Deník N, Ekonomický deník, Hospodářské noviny, Respect, Seznam Zprávy

Opposition to Italy's 2027 draft budget has intensified during parliamentary hearings, with major objections raised by both the financial sector and trade unions.

Marco Elio Rottigni, director general of the Italian Banking Association (ABI), warned that tax measures across the 2025–2027 period impose a cumulative 22 billion euro burden on financial institutions. The association cautioned that restrictions on Ires and Irap tax deductions threaten bank profitability, liquidity, and regulatory capital while limiting funds for cybersecurity and physical branch networks. Reports indicate bank shareholders are exploring potential constitutional challenges regarding the targeted levies.

Concurrently, trade union federation CGIL criticized the draft for relies on opaque revenue sources, fiscal drag, and EU recovery funds. CGIL presented an alternative tax proposal incorporating automatic inflation adjustments and a wealth contribution on net assets exceeding 2 million euros to generate 26 billion euros for public services.

Sources: ANSA, Corriere della Sera, Il Messaggero, Il Sole 24 Ore, La Repubblica

Emergency management agencies in the Baltic region have lowered threat levels following overnight air raid alerts triggered by a Ukrainian drone strike on Russia's Kirishi oil refinery near St. Petersburg. The overnight operation resulted in multiple explosions and a fire at the energy facility, alongside one recorded civilian fatality from falling wreckage.

During the strike, at least four uncrewed aerial vehicles strayed into NATO airspace, prompting the military alliance to deploy fighter jets to monitor the situation. In response, Finnish authorities briefly restricted local maritime and aviation corridors. Officials confirmed that all stray drones subsequently departed allied airspace without inflicting structural damage, allowing regional civil defense networks and air traffic operations to return to normal conditions.

Sources: Delo, Siol.net