Second day of Ukraine-Russia peace talks in Abu Dhabi ends without breakthrough
Second day of Ukraine-Russia peace talks in Abu Dhabi ends without breakthrough
Prisoner swap agreed as delegates push for momentum, but officials caution that tough work lies ahead before any peace deal.
In Abu Dhabi, the second day of US-led talks between Ukraine and Russia ended without a breakthrough toward ending Europe’s deadliest conflict in decades. The discussions yielded a concrete outcome—a reciprocal exchange of 157 prisoners of war on each side—but officials stressed that substantial work remains in the weeks ahead for any lasting peace to take shape. The three-hour session followed a longer trilateral round on Wednesday that stretched about five and a half hours, signaling a more serious approach than previous rounds.
Kyrylo Budanov, head of Ukraine’s presidential office, said the trilateral negotiations were genuinely constructive and thanked the United Arab Emirates and the United States for their mediation. Russia’s Kirill Dmitriev echoed a measured optimism, noting forward movement on ending the war, while Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, indicated that talks would continue in the near future. Both sides sent senior military and intelligence personnel to Abu Dhabi, signaling a seriousness not always seen in earlier rounds.
The involvement of high-level officials and the participation of technical military teams from both sides marked a notable shift in tone, underscoring the delicate balance diplomats are attempting to strike between concrete steps, like prisoner exchanges, and broader negotiations over territory and security guarantees.
Analysts caution that while the prisoner swap is a tangible, confidence-building gesture, it does not resolve the core disputes driving the conflict. The discussions in Abu Dhabi, however, are viewed as a potential opening for renewed engagement after months of stalled diplomacy, offering a cautious glimmer of momentum amid the ongoing war.
