A prisoner exchange took place between Ukraine and Russia following the conclusion of talks in Abu Dhabi.
The exchange came after talks were held in Abu Dhabi between Russia, Ukraine and the US over the past two days.
“The exchange involved 314 captives – 157 from each side – bringing the total number exchanged through UAE-mediated efforts to 4,955,” reported state news agency Wam on Thursday evening.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy took to social media to comment on the exchange of prisoners.
“Today's exchange came after a long pause, and it is critical that we were able to make it happen,” he wrote on X.
“I thank everyone who works to make these exchanges possible, as well as everyone on the frontline who contributes to expanding Ukraine's exchange fund. Without the determination of our warriors, such exchanges would be impossible.”
Earlier in the day, US special envoy Steve Witkoff took to X to announce the prisoner release, adding that it came from productive and detailed talks in Abu Dhabi.
“Today, delegations from the US, Ukraine and Russia agreed to exchange 314 prisoners – the first such exchange in five months,” Mr Steve Witkoff said. “This outcome was achieved from peace talks that have been detailed and productive.
“While significant work remains, steps like this demonstrate that sustained diplomatic engagement is delivering tangible results and advancing efforts to end the war in Ukraine. Discussions will continue, with additional progress anticipated in the coming weeks.”
Mr Witkoff thanked the UAE for hosting the talks and praised US President Donald Trump “for his leadership in making this agreement possible”.
The UAE's Ministry of Foreign Affairs thanked Russia and Ukraine for their co-operation with the Emirates' mediation efforts.
The ministry said the latest prisoner swap coincided with the Abu Dhabi-hosted trilateral talks, which it said reflected the UAE's commitment to strategic co-operation and highlighted international confidence in its role in enabling dialogue.
The total number of Emirati mediations that took place during the crisis is 18, which reflects the depth of the relations that unite the UAE with both Russia and Ukraine.
The ministry affirmed that the UAE will continue its efforts to support various endeavours to reach a peaceful solution to the conflict in Ukraine and to alleviate the resulting humanitarian impact.
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Reuters reported that the talks in Abu Dhabi concluded on Thursday afternoon. Both Russia and Ukraine said the talks were positive, it added.
Ukrainian negotiator Rustem Umerov said on Wednesday evening that discussions were “meaningful and productive, focusing on concrete steps and practical solutions”. Russian envoy Kirill Dmitriev said on Thursday that there was progress and a positive mood.
“The warmongers from Europe, from Britain, are constantly trying to interfere with this process, constantly trying to meddle in it,” Reuters quoted Mr Dmitriev as saying. “And the more such attempts there are, the more we see that progress is definitely being made.”
US and Russia to restore military dialogue
The US and Russia agreed to re-establish military dialogue following the high-level talks in Abu Dhabi, the US European Command said on Thursday.
It said lines of communication had been suspended in 2021, with its resumption aimed at supporting peace efforts and promoting global stability.
Ukraine's European allies, including the UK, have been accused by Russia of prolonging the war by offering support to Kiev. The UAE has so far mediated 17 prisoner exchanges between Russia and Ukraine, resulting in the release of 4,641 people.
On Wednesday, Dr Anwar Gargash, diplomatic adviser to the UAE President, told the World Governments Summit in Dubai that the UAE was regarded as a neutral venue to host talks between Ukraine and Russia.
“When Russia invaded Ukraine, we took a position to be on the side of international law,” Dr Gargash said. “But at the same time … not to take sides and to maintain relations with Ukraine and to maintain relations with Russia.
“We were criticised heavily for doing that because everyone wanted us to take sides. Why are you doing this? How come you are on Russia’s side? Our argument stood. What we really want to do is we want to be helpful rather than be just a number.”
He told the summit that about 20,000 Russians and 16,000 Ukrainians lived in the UAE when the war broke out, with the Emirates taking steps such as extending visas for Ukrainians.
Dr Gargash emphasised the UAE's humanitarian work and the mediation of prisoner swaps that created “a certain positive feeling about the UAE and about it being a sort of neutral venue”.
