Ukraine updates: Europe to send united front to potential peace talks

These updates have been closed. Below, you can review developments from the Russia's war in Ukraine from Friday, November 13:

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova on Friday directly contradicted US envoy Jared Kushner's Thursday statement that President Vladimir Putin had voiced willingness to have European representatives join upcoming talks designed to end his war of aggression against Ukraine.

Responding to a request for comment from Germany's DPA news agency, Zakharova said, "As far as Russia's Foreign Ministry is aware, the issue was not discussed during the talks with Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner in Moscow."

No Foreign Ministry representatives were present during a Thursday meeting between Putin and US envoys Kushner and Steve Witkoff according to Russian state media, which said Putin was accompanied by his own foreign policy advisor Yuri Ushakov, Russia's chief negotiator Vladimir Medinsky and envoy Kirill Dmitriev.

European Council President Antonio Costa on Friday said the EU will take part in future peace talks aimed at ending Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and will jointly represent Europe with France, Germany, Italy, Poland and the UK .

"Europe must speak with one clear voice and united voice in all discussion that shape the future of Ukraine and the security of our continent. And this is ultimately a team effort," Costa said after a European leaders' meeting in Dublin.

Copyright for this text belongs to Deutsche Welle.