Russia and Ukraine agree to major prisoner exchange after peace talks

Russia and Ukraine have agreed to a major prisoner exchange following two days of US-mediated talks in Abu Dhabi, according to Al Jazeera English and France 24 English. This exchange marks the largest humanitarian release since the conflict began in 2022, NPR World reported.

Despite the agreement on prisoners, the negotiations ended without a breakthrough on ending the war, as the two sides remain divided over territorial and long-term security issues, Al Jazeera English noted.

US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner will separately meet Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to follow up on the talks, France 24 English reported. Witkoff and Kushner plan to first visit Moscow, then Dublin, where Zelensky will attend European meetings.

Zelensky described the talks as 'constructive' and expressed cautious hope for a possible 'window of opportunity' to end the conflict before 2027. He welcomed a 'change in tone' from the US regarding European involvement in the peace process, according to France 24 English.