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Russia and Ukraine agreed to carry out a large-scale prisoner exchange during trilateral talks in Abu Dhabi aimed at ending the war, Russian presidential adviser Vladimir Medinskiy said after the negotiations.
“We agreed on a large-scale prisoner exchange. Details of the swap will be announced soon,” Medinskiy told reporters after the talks in the United Arab Emirates capital.
Aleksandr Zorin, deputy head of the Information Department of the Russian General Staff, later told Russian newspaper Vesti that the exchange was expected to take place within two to three weeks.
Medinskiy said details of the negotiating process would not be disclosed until a final agreement is reached.
Medinskiy, who led the Russian delegation, said regional security was the main issue discussed during the negotiations.
He said Russia believes preparations should already begin for what comes after the eventual end of the conflict in Ukraine, including the establishment of what Moscow describes as a new, comprehensive and fair security system in Europe.
“The Ukrainian crisis has shown that the security system in Europe has not worked well,” Medinskiy said.
He said Russia and the United States exchanged views and reached agreement on some issues while remaining divided on others, adding that negotiations would continue.
Medinskiy also thanked the UAE for organizing the talks.
He praised U.S. President Donald Trump’s representatives Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner for what he described as a results-oriented approach.
“They were focused on results rather than empty talk. Therefore, I assess their role positively,” he said.
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Medinskiy said the talks were held in a trilateral format and that the Russian delegation did not meet European representatives who were also in Abu Dhabi.
“We do not understand in what capacity they are here,” he said.
He accused some European governments of financing and supplying weapons to one side of the war and said Russia had not received concrete proposals from European countries aimed at achieving peace.
Medinskiy said European representatives could take part in future negotiations if they presented concrete proposals.
“When their conscience awakens, they can take part in peace talks,” he said.
He also said European representatives should follow the example of U.S. negotiators.
Medinskiy said humanitarian matters were also addressed during the Abu Dhabi negotiations, including the planned prisoner exchange.
He said further details would be released later as talks continue.
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