US, Russia, Ukraine wrap up Abu Dhabi talks with prisoner exchange

Russia and Ukraine have agreed in Abu Dhabi on a large-scale prisoner swap, mediated by US officials Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff, while continuing to exchange strikes on the battlefield.

The deal, which includes the biggest humanitarian release of prisoners, was announced by Russia's chief negotiator Vladimir Medinsky during a press conference in the United Arab Emirates.

Concrete details and the final numbers of the exchange are expected to be announced tomorrow, according to Kushner, who said the US team had 'narrowed the gaps' between the warring sides.

Deal for largest prisoner exchange

The agreement marks a significant step in the long-running conflict, as prisoner exchanges have been one of the few areas where the two sides have managed to reach a deal in previous talks.

Medinsky told Russian state television that the talks were constructive but that more discussions would be needed to resolve all outstanding issues.

He added that the world needs a 'new, modern, updated security system' that is fair and does not disadvantage any particular countries.

US envoy Jared Kushner confirmed that the US team, which is traveling to Moscow on Thursday, will finalize the numbers for the prisoner release.

European partners at the table

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy welcomed the US and European involvement in the Abu Dhabi talks, which were held behind closed doors.

He said it was 'not simple' to involve Europe in the process, but that Ukrainian, US and European representatives held a separate meeting once the formal talks with Russia ended.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stressed that the format should include European partners at the table because they are a part of solving the problem for the long term.

EU negotiators have expressed concern that Washington may be exerting too much pressure on Ukraine to cede territory in exchange for a truce.

Continued strikes and arrests

Despite the talks, both Russia and Ukraine continued to launch strikes on the battlefield, highlighting the challenges ahead for any peace agreement.

Russia's defense ministry said the army struck a cargo vessel in the Black Sea southwest of Odesa, which Moscow claimed was carrying weapons and military equipment for Ukraine's armed forces.

Russian drones hit three electricity substations in Ukraine's Kryvyi Rih and Odesa regions overnight, while Ukraine reportedly launched a drone attack on Russia's northwestern Ust-Luga, a major oil and grain export outlet.

In a separate development, Moscow said two people described as agents of the Polish secret services were arrested in Russia's western Kaliningrad region for gathering information on military facilities.

Russian security services also barred entry into the country for seven Polish citizens and three Russian nationals over their contacts with the Polish security services.

Entry into our country has been barred for the aforementioned citizens of the Republic of Poland for an extended period.

Polish authorities denounced the statements as 'provocation and disinformation'.

Next steps in the peace process

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov underlined Moscow's goal of negotiating a broad European security framework before tackling the specifics of the war.

The US team, including Kushner and Witkoff, will travel to Moscow on Thursday before meeting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Dublin.

The talks in Abu Dhabi are expected to resume on Wednesday morning, with the first round of negotiations having concluded after four hours of intense discussions.