Russia and Ukraine have carried out an uncommon exchange of prisoners of war and civilians following two days of US-mediated peace negotiations in Abu Dhabi, even as the talks concluded without a major diplomatic breakthrough.
In the swap, 157 Ukrainians, including seven civilians, were returned home, alongside 157 Russian soldiers. It marked the first such exchange between the two sides in four months.
Delegations from Russia, Ukraine and the United States participated in the discussions held in the United Arab Emirates’ capital. Despite intensive engagement, progress proved limited, with negotiations reportedly stalled over territorial demands on Ukraine and the issue of security guarantees to prevent renewed Russian aggression if a peace deal is reached.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky acknowledged the difficulty of the talks, saying he was seeking quicker outcomes.
Prisoner Exchange After Long Pause
Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Zelensky said the exchange followed a lengthy break since the last swap in October.
“We are returning our people home – 157 Ukrainians. Soldiers of the Armed Forces, National Guard, State Border Service. And civilians are also returning with the defenders,” he wrote on social media.
Ukrainian officials said 139 of those freed had been held in Russian captivity since 2022. Zelensky reiterated his commitment to securing the release of all Ukrainians still detained by Russia.
Russia’s defence ministry confirmed that Kyiv had returned 157 Russian prisoners of war. It also said three Russian civilians described as being “illegally held” were handed back. The civilians were residents of the western Kursk region, parts of which Ukraine occupied during its 2024–25 incursion.
Talks Continue, But Key Obstacles Remain
The Abu Dhabi meetings — the second round of talks in recent weeks — are part of US President Donald Trump’s push to bring the four-year war to an end. Negotiations have been led by special envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner.
Describing the discussions, Witkoff said they had been “detailed and productive”, while stressing that “significant work remains.”
Territory remains the most contentious issue, with Russia insisting that Ukraine hand over the remaining parts of the eastern Donbas region still outside Moscow’s control. Ukraine, meanwhile, is pressing for strong security guarantees from the US and European allies to deter future attacks.
No formal details from the talks have been released.
Fighting Continues Despite Diplomacy
The negotiations took place as Russia resumed intense attacks on Ukraine, ending a brief pause that Trump had requested during a spell of extreme winter weather.
Russian strikes have heavily targeted Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, leaving thousands without electricity, heating and water in sub-zero conditions — underscoring the urgency, yet fragility, of ongoing diplomatic efforts.
Discover more from LN247
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
