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A second round of peace talks involving Russia, Ukraine and the United States has concluded in Abu Dhabi, according to reports from Russian and Ukrainian media outlets.
There was no official confirmation, but the reports said the talks held on Wednesday and Thursday had ended. Kyrylo Budanov, head of Ukraine’s presidential office, told RBC-Ukraine that the discussions were “constructive.”
The latest talks followed earlier consultations held on Jan. 23–24 in Abu Dhabi, marking a continuation of diplomatic contacts hosted in the Emirati capital.
US envoy Steve Witkoff, who participated in the talks, said Moscow and Kyiv agreed to exchange 314 prisoners of war. Writing on the U.S. social media platform X, Witkoff described the negotiations as “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,” he said, adding that discussions will continue and that “additional progress” is expected in the coming weeks.
Russia’s Defense Ministry later said that 157 servicemen were exchanged from each side and that three Russian civilians were also returned.
The ministry said the United Arab Emirates and the United States provided humanitarian assistance in the return of Russian servicemen from captivity.
Ukraine has yet to comment on the exchange, described as the first since October 2025.
Russian officials said the exchange was agreed during three rounds of talks previously held in Istanbul.
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