The main outcome of the two-day talks with Russia mediated by the United States was an agreement on a large-scale prisoner exchange. Work is now under way to agree the details and put the deal into practice, said the head of the Ukrainian delegation, Rustem Umerov, chief of the Foreign Intelligence Service.
The parties also discussed achieving peace and post-war reconstruction, with a ceasefire intended as the first step. They set out their positions on issues where significant differences remain.
“There is still a lot of difficult work ahead, but there are opportunities to continue the negotiating process,” Umerov said.
He thanked the UAE for facilitating the talks, the United States for its active involvement, and partners from the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, the European Commission and NATO for their joint work during the negotiating process.
Talks Between Ukraine, Russia and the US
On 10-11 November, the first talks since February between Ukraine and Russia, mediated by the United States, took place in Abu Dhabi. The sides discussed post-war security guarantees and reconstruction. Difficult unresolved issues remain — above all, the question of territories. Ukraine insists these should be discussed at a leaders’ meeting.
US negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner will fly to Moscow to meet Vladimir Putin and finalise the prisoner-swap agreement. The exact number is not yet known, but it could involve the release of 1,000-1,500 prisoners on each side.
After meeting Putin, the US negotiators will hold talks with the Ukrainian leader while he is in Ireland this week.