Axios reports that Washington has requested Moscow draft a proposal to resolve one of Russia’s primary concerns: the security situation in Europe. Following the fall of the USSR, many Cold War-era agreements have collapsed. 

Sources told the outlet that President Donald Trump’s envoy, Steve Witkoff, and son-in-law, Jared Kushner, plan to request that President Vladimir Putin develop a Russian proposal during a meeting in Moscow on Thursday. The proposal would outline the steps needed to take in Europe to lower tensions between Russia and NATO. 

In Moscow, Witkoff said Putin agreed to allow European representatives to attend the next talks with Ukraine. 

Russia has demanded a new security framework in Europe for years. In 2021, Moscow sent proposals to the Joe Biden administration to avert war in Ukraine that included establishing new agreements to govern military activities and positions in Europe. However, Biden refused to negotiate with Putin on Moscow’s core demands, and Russia invaded Ukraine. 

The security situation in Europe has further deteriorated during the war. Europe has waged a proxy war against Russia through Ukraine, and NATO has continued its eastward military buildup. 

Relations between Russia and NATO are at a post-Cold War low point. Many of the arms control agreements have been dissolved, and NATO has expanded to Russia’s borders. 

The request for Moscow to develop new proposals follows two days of US-mediated talks between Russian and Ukrainian negotiators in the UAE. All sides reported progress was made; however, no breakthroughs were made, and significant differences remain.