Zelensky welcomes US bringing Europe into Russia-Ukraine peace talks

Ukraine's president has welcomed a pledge from US envoys, Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff, to include delegates from the European Union in the next round of peace talks with Russia. European leaders have expressed deepening security concerns this week, and Volodymyr Zelensky said bringing them into the talks would ensure the EU has a "voice" in negotiations.

But Thursday did see Russia and Ukraine agree to another prisoner exchange - the largest swap yet since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in 2022. Kushner said it would return "thousands of people to their families", but further details like how many prisoners would be exchanged or a timeline, were not given.

Zelensky has for several years been calling for European delegates to be included in the peace talks, and says it makes sense because of Kyiv's longer-term ambition to join the European Union.