Russian lead negotiator Vladimir Medinsky and Ukrainian counterpart Rustem Umerov confirmed the swap, with exact participant numbers scheduled for finalization on Thursday. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted that the dialogue centered on captive civilians, displaced children, and security guarantees. However, neither nation has demonstrated a willingness to yield on core political and territorial demands. Outside the conference rooms, cross-border violence continued overnight with heavy drone and missile attacks striking both sides.
Key points
The agreement represents the largest humanitarian exchange of prisoners of war arranged b…: The agreement represents the largest humanitarian exchange of prisoners of war arranged between the warring countries.
Direct European Union and NATO participation remains contested, as Moscow actively oppose…: Direct European Union and NATO participation remains contested, as Moscow actively opposes formal European involvement at the negotiating table.
Despite constructive talks on humanitarian matters, neither belligerent has shown any rea…: Despite constructive talks on humanitarian matters, neither belligerent has shown any readiness to compromise on core wartime demands.
Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1
ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates — Officials at U.S.-mediated talks between Russia and Ukraine said Wednesday that the sides have agreed a large exchange of prisoners of war.
"One of the positives is we agreed that we're going to have the biggest humanitarian release of prisoners, which we're going to finalize the numbers tomorrow," Jared Kushner, U.S. President Donald Trump's son-in-law, said after the two days of talks in Abu Dhabi ended.
Vladimir Medinsky, the head of the Russian delegation, and Rustem Umerov, who led Kyiv's delegation in Abu Dhabi, confirmed the planned exchange.
Hopes were low for any major breakthrough in the first meeting in nine months between the delegations. Russia and Ukraine have from time to time swapped prisoners during their nearly five-year war.
U.S. officials say they are determined to revive Washington's peace efforts that so far have failed to deliver significant results.
Kushner says he and U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff will travel to Moscow on Thursday to meet with President Vladimir Putin, then fly to Dublin to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
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