Russia and Ukraine have agreed to a large-scale prisoner exchange following two days of US-brokered trilateral talks in Abu Dhabi, though the negotiations concluded without a breakthrough on ending the nearly five-year war.
The agreement, confirmed by both sides on Wednesday, marks the most tangible result from the meetings held on November 10 and November 11. While the exact scale remains to be finalized, Russian negotiator Vladimir Medinsky noted the agreement was reached “in principle.”
Our team reported on the results of the meetings in Abu Dhabi with the American and Russian sides, as well as the coordination with European partners present in the Emirates. First, there is an important humanitarian arrangement regarding preparations for a new exchange. Second,… pic.twitter.com/N1ql7Yn2Z6
Russian General Alexander Zorin indicated the swap could involve more than 1,000 people on each side, according to TASS. Lead Ukrainian representative Rustem Umerov said that bringing citizens home remains a primary objective, noting that work on the implementation of the exchange is underway.
“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,” said Jared Kushner, a U.S. envoy, after the sessions concluded. The discussions on Wednesday lasted just under two hours, following a four-hour session the previous day.
🔴 #LIVE: Statement by Presidential Aide Vladimir Medinskiy, head of the Russian delegation, following the talks in Abu Dhabi 🔗 https://t.co/QZzmcoG7ZZ
Security Guarantees and Territorial Hurdles
Ukrainian lead negotiator Rustem Umerov emphasized that the goal of the talks is to achieve a lasting peace. However, territorial disputes continue to block progress. Medinsky said that Russia expects “every inch of Russian land will be returned to Russia, one way or another,” though he did not specify the territories.
Moscow maintains demands for control over the entire Donbas region, including areas still held by Kyiv, as well as parts of southern regions it does not yet fully occupy.
When I received the second report from our negotiating team after their meetings in Abu Dhabi, they told me that the Russians think and say they have already occupied half of Donbas, which remains under our control. These were military officers, Russian intelligence, and they… pic.twitter.com/bs1c7blV1p
The U.S. delegation, led by Kushner and Steve Witkoff, sought to advance discussions on postwar security frameworks. Officials proposed security consultations and mechanisms to prevent a recurrence of the war.
Kushner said that Russia’s security concerns were discussed, with Moscow told it must provide de-escalation proposals acceptable to Europe. “The reality is, is there’s no trust right now between the sides. And that’s to be expected after a conflict like this,” Kushner said.
Medinsky, who leads the Russian delegation in Abu Dhabi, argued that the post-World War II security system in Europe is failing. He revived demands presented by the Kremlin in 2021, including a halt to NATO enlargement and restrictions on alliance forces in countries that joined after 1997. Medinsky claimed the West had broken previous promises regarding NATO expansion following the collapse of the Soviet Union.
Consultations in Moscow and Dublin
The U.S. envoys are scheduled to travel to Moscow on Thursday to meet with President Vladimir Putin. According to Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov, the meetings will take place in the first half of the day.
💬 FM #Lavrov: After the talks in Abu Dhabi, US negotiators will brief President #Putin in Moscow. He’ll also hear from Vladimir Medinskiy’s team. ☝️ The course we take will be geared towards achieving the objectives of the special military operation.https://t.co/C6sdZ9kOz8 pic.twitter.com/yA1VPpgpGB
European leaders remain a point of contention in the negotiation structure. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov previously dismissed the presence of European representatives in Abu Dhabi, suggesting they should remain at their hotels. Conversely, Marco Rubio said that European nations would eventually need to join the negotiations because they are “part of solving this problem.”
The Abu Dhabi talks occurred against a backdrop of continued attrition, with both sides reporting ongoing military activity. Ukrainian authorities reported attacks in the Odesa region. Meanwhile, in the town of Oleshky, a previous humanitarian mission to evacuate residents was successfully completed during the summer.
Earlier coverage: Russia, Ukraine and US to Hold Tripartite Peace Talks in Abu Dhabi