Russia and Ukraine agree to a large prisoner exchange as talks end with no major breakthrough

Russia and Ukraine have now confirmed an agreement in principle for a large prisoner-of-war exchange, the clearest concrete outcome from two days of US-mediated talks in Abu Dhabi. The discussions ended without a major breakthrough on ending the invasion, and Kyiv and Moscow remain divided over occupied territory and postwar security.

The final exchange numbers were due to be confirmed the following day, with a Russian official saying the swap could happen within two or three weeks. The talks were the first between the delegations in nine months; Wednesday’s session lasted just under two hours, following four hours on Tuesday. Jared Kushner and US envoy Steve Witkoff were due to meet Vladimir Putin, while Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Ukraine would not cede occupied territory and called for Europe to take part in negotiations.