What major deal is being negotiated for "all of Europe"?

The US president said that a "big, beautiful deal" could be close to being finalised ahead of new peace talks in the Gulf next week. Trump's remarks were followed by a statement from Jared Kushner, his son-in-law and senior envoy, suggesting that an agreement was within reach to "create a more stable and predictable security environment" for all of Europe.

According to the British newspaper The Telegraph, such comments are likely to fuel fears of a "grand bargain" between Russia and the United States – something Putin has long sought as he attempts to restore Moscow's power and influence.

Talks between Washington and Moscow have accelerated in recent weeks. On Thursday, the White House hosted Kirill Dmitriev, a senior Putin aide, who presented US First Lady Melania Trump with a painting of an 11-year-old girl evacuated from the front line. The painting bore the words: "I love Melania."

Later, speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, Trump said he had met with "the top man in Russia."

"I can't tell you what we discussed, but I'll just say that a deal will be reached. It will be a big deal and will involve more than just Ukraine. It could encompass all of Europe... It will be a big, beautiful deal, and everyone will be thrilled," Trump said.

Kushner posted a video of Trump's remarks on the social media platform X.

"President Trump today initiated an important discussion with several European leaders about the need for a broader European security architecture that could help establish the conditions for lasting peace. For more than 30 years, Europe and Russia have struggled to establish a sustainable security framework. Decades of mistrust, conflicting security concerns and the devastating consequences of this war make this an exceptionally difficult challenge, but one that is essential for lasting peace," Kushner wrote, adding:

"Our goal is to develop practical arrangements that address the security concerns of all parties, reduce the risk of future conflicts and create a more stable and predictable security environment."

He said the discussions focused on five main objectives: ongoing security consultations, reliable crisis communication, greater military transparency, reciprocal measures to reduce the risk of escalation, and a lasting framework for Europe's long-term security and stability.

He also said that the arrangements "must fully respect the sovereignty, territorial integrity and independent decision-making of every nation", insisting that NATO would remain the central pillar of Europe's collective defence.

Talks to be held in Abu Dhabi next week

Putin has long complained that Europe and NATO have expanded too far eastwards. Last month, The Telegraph reported that Putin had been enticed back to the negotiating table by promises that his concerns over the military alliance's expansion would be addressed.

The talks will move to Abu Dhabi next week, where Ukrainian and Russian negotiators will discuss proposals with the United States.

Officials from the EU, NATO, the United Kingdom, France and Germany are expected to attend, although they are unlikely to participate directly in the negotiations.

However, with Europe's future defence and security architecture apparently on the negotiating table, European leaders have struggled to find a single negotiator to represent them in Abu Dhabi.

Giorgia Meloni, Italy's Prime Minister, has criticised the EU's "direct" approach to peace negotiations, warning that the bloc risks becoming irrelevant in a letter addressed to António Costa, President of the European Council.

Putin, Trump and Xi to hold talks

European fears of being further sidelined in the peace process are likely to intensify, given that Trump is expected to hold talks with Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping later this month.

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Beijing has confirmed that preparations are underway for the talks, which will take place on the sidelines of the APEC summit in Shenzhen.

The three-way meeting has been compared to the 1945 Yalta Conference, when the leaders of the United Kingdom, the United States and the Soviet Union gathered to plan the future of post-war Europe.

European officials told The Telegraph that they would seek to counter alleged US efforts to reach a deal on Ukraine without Kyiv and its allies.