Say it isn’t so — please tell me the unofficial, unelected, unqualified, un-security-clearanced wunderkind son-in-law of Donald Trump didn’t jump the gun when he announced on Thursday:

“Both sides [Russia and Ukraine] have now agreed to expand the next round of negotiations to include our European partners. This will allow us to address the broader postwar European security arrangements alongside the territorial issues between Ukraine and Russia. A lasting end to the fighting requires credible security guarantees, deconfliction mechanisms, and reciprocal deescalation commitments that reduce the risk of future conflict.” [Sarah Davis, The Hill, November 13, 2026.]

Let’s say we give him the benefit of the doubt, and assume that those hopeful words actually reflect the substance of the discussions held in Abu Dhabi this week. Because it is entirely possible that that is what the Russian delegation implied at the time, only to be bulldozed by this announcement today from Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov in Moscow:

“Putin has never refused to engage with the Europeans. If the Europeans truly have someone who is authorized to hold discussions … then, of course, we would be prepared to talk with them. Once we understand their genuine intention and readiness to contribute to the peace process, then it will be possible to make a decision on holding dialogue on a Ukrainian settlement in an expanded format.” [Billy Stockwell, Kara Fox and Sana Noor Haq, CNN, November 13, 2026.]

In typical Kremlin double-speak, that sounds like something less than Kushner’s “both sides have now agreed.” Whether he inferred more than the Abu Dhabi delegation implied, or this is just Russia playing games again, is irrelevant. The real issue is whether Europe will have a say in its own future security arrangements as long as Vladimir Putin remains on the throne.

And without strong, clear, unequivocal, and unwavering support from the U.S., that question is unlikely to be resolved satisfactorily.

Just sayin’ . . .

Brendochka
11/13/26