The Ukraine-Russia peace talks in Abu Dhabi have yielded a significant breakthrough, with an agreement to exchange 314 prisoners of war. The talks, mediated by the United States, were described as “productive” and “meaningful” by Ukrainian and US officials.
The agreement was announced by US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, who led the US delegation at the talks. “Today, delegations from the United States, Ukraine, and Russia agreed to exchange 314 prisoners — the first such exchange in five months,” Witkoff said. The Ukrainian prisoners include 150 military personnel and seven civilians, who had been held in Russian captivity since 2022.
Ukraine-Russia Peace Talks Exchange Details
Russia’s Defence Ministry confirmed the exchange, stating that 157 prisoners would be released by each side. The exchange is expected to take place soon, although the exact date has not been announced. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky welcomed the agreement, saying it was a “significant step” towards ending the war.
The talks in Abu Dhabi were attended by delegations from Ukraine, Russia, and the US. The Ukrainian delegation was led by Rustem Umerov, while the US delegation included Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law.
The prisoner exchange is seen as a positive development in the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia. However, significant work remains to be done to achieve a lasting peace.
The conflict between Ukraine and Russia has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths and widespread destruction. A lasting peace is seen as crucial to rebuilding Ukraine and ensuring regional stability.
The talks in Abu Dhabi are part of ongoing efforts to broker a peace deal between Ukraine and Russia. The US has been involved in the talks, and has been pushing for a deal to end the war.
The prisoner exchange agreement has been welcomed by international leaders, who hope it will pave the way for further progress in the peace talks.
The situation in Ukraine remains volatile, with Russia launching a missile and drone barrage against Ukraine’s energy infrastructure just before the talks.
The US and Russia have agreed to re-establish military dialogue, which was suspended in late 2021.
The prisoner exchange is expected to be the first of several steps towards a lasting peace in Ukraine. However, significant challenges remain, including the long-term fate of territory in eastern Ukraine.
The talks in Abu Dhabi are expected to continue, with additional progress anticipated in the coming weeks.
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