US envoy: Russia, Ukraine agree to exchange 314 prisoners of war

A significant breakthrough has emerged from trilateral peace talks in Abu Dhabi, with the United States announcing an agreement between Russia and Ukraine to exchange hundreds of prisoners of war. US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff confirmed the deal on Thursday, describing it as a positive step forward in the protracted diplomatic process.

Details of the Prisoner Exchange Agreement

In a statement on social media platform X, Witkoff wrote, "Today, delegations from the United States, Ukraine, and Russia agreed to exchange 314 prisoners—the first such exchange in five months." It was not immediately clarified whether the figure of 314 represents the total number of individuals to be swapped or the number to be released by each side. The last major prisoner exchange occurred in October 2025 following talks in Istanbul.

Assessment of the Abu Dhabi Negotiations

Witkoff characterized the ongoing discussions in the Emirati capital as "detailed and productive." While acknowledging that "significant work remains," he asserted that "steps like this demonstrate that sustained diplomatic engagement is delivering tangible results and advancing efforts to end the war in Ukraine." He expressed gratitude to the United Arab Emirates for hosting and credited US President Donald Trump's leadership for making the agreement possible.

Context and Future of the Talks

The announcement came on the second day of a renewed round of negotiations involving senior officials from Moscow, Kyiv, and Washington. These talks follow an initial round held in late January. Witkoff indicated that discussions would continue, with "additional progress anticipated in the coming weeks," suggesting a cautious but ongoing diplomatic process aimed at building momentum toward a broader settlement.