Jared Kushner faces ridicule after suggesting Ukraine concede territory in peace talks
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At a diplomatic forum, Jared Kushner's remarks that Ukraine should cede territory to Russia to end the war prompted laughter from attendees, highlighting skepticism over his negotiation stance.
Jared Kushner, the former senior adviser and son-in-law of President Donald Trump, was met with laughter at a diplomatic forum after he said Ukraine should agree to cede territory demanded by Russia to achieve peace. Kushner told the audience that the only missing element in a settlement was Ukrainian consent to relinquish the areas Moscow seeks, and that mediators must find a “creative solution” that satisfies both sides.
He added that both Kyiv and Moscow were feeling “a lot of pain” and expressed optimism that President Vladimir Putin and President Volodymyr Zelensky were “very committed” to negotiations. Attendees reportedly burst out laughing when he described Putin’s commitment, according to local reports.
Kushner, who was appointed to lead Russia-Ukraine talks alongside businessman Steve Witkoff early in the Trump administration, has visited Moscow and Kyiv in recent weeks. Ukrainian officials have repeatedly rejected any proposal that requires territorial concessions, and President Zelensky later said he expects the conflict to continue into winter.
The remarks came as Russian drones struck a crossing on the Polish-Ukrainian border, a route commonly used by foreign dignitaries traveling to Ukraine.