Russia and Ukraine have agreed on a major prisoner-of-war exchange following US-mediated negotiations in Abu Dhabi. The agreement could lead to the largest humanitarian release of prisoners since the war began, with final numbers expected shortly. European countries are being requested for negotiations concerning the continent’s security.
The United States facilitated discussions between Russia and Ukraine in Abu Dhabi for two days, leading to a proposed large-scale prisoner exchange agreement. According to Jared Kushner, this agreement could lead to the biggest humanitarian release of prisoners since the war commenced, with final numbers expected shortly.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy welcomed the progress but insisted that European countries must be involved in negotiations concerning the continent’s security. Kyiv wants future discussions to move beyond the existing trilateral format involving Russia, Ukraine and the US. Washington has indicated support for European participation, particularly on security guarantees, while Moscow has questioned the need for European representatives in direct negotiations, arguing that their support for Ukraine makes them unsuitable as neutral participants.
Kushner and US special envoy Steve Witkoff are expected to travel to Moscow to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday before travelling to Dublin to brief Zelenskyy on the discussions. Separately, reports indicate that Putin had expressed openness to contacts with European leaders, including German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.
Berlin, however, has reiterated that Europe must have a say in any settlement affecting its security, stressing that decisions on Europe’s future security order cannot be made without European participation. Despite the prisoner-swap understanding, major differences remain over territory, security guarantees and Ukraine’s future relationship with NATO.
Source:
Akashvani News
