Russia and Ukraine Agree to Large Prisoner Exchange at U.S.-Mediated Abu Dhabi Talks

Conflict · First reported 11 Nov, 12:06 · Updated 12:16

Image: Wikimedia Commons · Ysherazi · CC BY-SA 4.0

Following two days of U.S.-mediated negotiations in Abu Dhabi, Russia and Ukraine agreed in principle to a large-scale prisoner of war exchange. Although delegates reported progress on humanitarian matters, the discussions concluded without a broader breakthrough to end the nearly five-year conflict.

Russian and Ukrainian delegations concluded two days of U.S.-mediated discussions in Abu Dhabi by agreeing to a major exchange of prisoners of war, with specific numbers to be finalized.
The talks marked the first direct diplomatic meeting between Moscow and Kyiv delegations in nine months, though no comprehensive breakthrough on ending the war was reached.
U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner will travel to Moscow to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin before flying to Dublin to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Negotiators addressed humanitarian topics, including civilian captives and displaced children, while European officials consulted alongside the Ukrainian delegation despite Moscow's resistance to direct European participation.
The diplomatic meetings occurred as heavy fighting and aerial strikes continued, with Russian strikes hitting Ukrainian cities and Ukrainian drone attacks causing a fire at Russia's Ust-Luga port.

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Key facts

Negotiation Location: Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Primary Outcome: Agreement in principle on a large-scale prisoner of war exchange
U.S. Lead Envoys: Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner
Delegation Heads: Rustem Umerov (Ukraine) and Vladimir Medinsky (Russia)
Next Diplomatic Stops: Moscow (meeting Vladimir Putin) and Dublin (meeting Volodymyr Zelenskyy)
Ukrainian Drones Claimed Downed: 627 overnight by Russia's Defense Ministry