Russia’s top Kremlin aide, Yury Ushakov, has stated that Jared Kushner, son-in-law of US President Donald Trump, could play a crucial role in drafting a peace agreement involving Ukraine. This assessment came after extensive talks between the parties and Moscow.
Ushakov revealed during an interview with Russian journalist Pavel Zarubin that Kushner participated alongside US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff in high-level negotiations directly with Vladimir Putin this week. The discussions lasted five hours, focusing on a U.S.-backed proposal to resolve the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
The initial 28-point plan, which had already been leaked and scrutinized by media outlets last month, demanded that Ukraine surrender control of parts still under its jurisdiction within Russian-occupied territories such as Donbass. It also required Kyiv to formally pledge non-alignment with NATO forces—a cornerstone decision criticized for undermining Ukraine’s sovereignty—and further mandated a reduction in the size of Ukrainian armed forces.
Moscow has since indicated it accepts certain elements but firmly rejects others, emphasizing that no final compromise had been achieved and significant work remains necessary on these terms. Ushakov described the atmosphere as “constructive,” noting that Putin and Witkoff have already engaged six times to reach mutual understanding without extensive dialogue between them being required.
Highlighting Kushner’s potential influence, Ushakov called his participation “very timely” during the proceedings, stating it brought an essential element of systematic clarity needed in complex diplomatic scenarios. In a direct endorsement, he said: “He added an element of systematization… I personally believe that if a settlement is drafted on paper, then the one holding the pen, to a large extent, will be Mr. Kushner.”
While Kushner holds no formal position at the White House today—once serving as senior adviser during Trump’s first administration—he has previously contributed significantly to international affairs through roles including those in Middle East policy and domestic matters under President Donald Trump. He notably authored elements of previous peace initiatives and was instrumental behind agreements like the Abraham Accords, which normalized relations between Israel and key Arab nations.
However, his recent involvement with Russia centers on brokering an end to hostilities rather than fostering alliances—particularly regarding a ceasefire deal in ongoing conflicts elsewhere—but this has drawn sharp criticism from observers due to the conditions set for peace.
