Russia and Ukraine hold nearly 4 hours of U.S.-mediated talks in Abu Dhabi

Live updates

1. 49m ago

   Russia, Ukraine wrap Abu Dhabi talks with prisoner swap; US envoys head to Moscow

   U.S.-mediated talks in Abu Dhabi concluded Wednesday after nearly four hours and a second day of negotiations. Russia and Ukraine agreed to a large-scale prisoner exchange, while U.S. envoys plan to meet Putin in Moscow. Zelenskyy said he was pleased with messages from American envoys, but no broader ceasefire or territorial breakthrough was announced. Meanwhile, Ukraine launched nearly 1,200 drones at Russian targets overnight, one of the largest aerial attacks of the war.

   Why it matters

   The Abu Dhabi session marked the most sustained direct engagement between the warring parties since the Trump administration reopened diplomatic channels. A prisoner swap signals limited trust-building, yet the simultaneous massive drone barrage underscores that battlefield pressure continues unabated. The next test is whether Putin receives U.S. envoys in Moscow and whether European nations gain a seat at the table, as Washington has signaled it will seek.

   What is confirmed

   • Russia, Ukraine, and the United States held nearly four hours of U.S.-mediated talks in Abu Dhabi over two days.
   • The parties reached an agreement on a large-scale prisoner exchange.
   • Ukraine fired almost 1,200 drones at Russian targets overnight during the talks.
   • Zelenskyy said he was pleased with messages from U.S. envoys on diplomatic efforts to end the war.
   • Trump envoys are expected to meet Putin in Moscow after the Abu Dhabi session.

   Still unconfirmed

   • Putin is not ready to make peace in Abu Dhabi, according to Al Jazeera analysis.
   • U.S. may seek Putin's blessing for European nations to join future Ukraine talks.

   What to watch next

   • Whether Putin receives U.S. envoys in Moscow and what concessions, if any, he signals
   • Whether European countries are formally invited into the negotiation format
   • Whether the prisoner exchange is executed promptly and at what scale
   Sources used for this update (23)

   1. en.people.cn — U.S. Marine indicted on robbery-murder charges in Japan's Okinawa
   2. Reuters — Russia, Ukraine to meet for US-backed talks after Trump says broad deal possible
   3. Al Jazeera — Russia, Ukraine and US to meet as Zelenskyy claims battlefield successes
   4. The Guardian — US, Russia and Ukraine hold trilateral talks aimed at ending war – Europe live
   5. ABC News - Breaking News, Latest News and Videos — Russia, Ukraine and US meet for Abu Dhabi talks as Trump says war can 'end soon'
   6. WSJ — U.S. Overture to Russia on European Security Sparks Alarm
   7. The New York Times — Why U.S. Business Deals Are Unlikely to Get Putin to Give Any Ground
   8. PBS — Russia and Ukraine hold nearly 4 hours of U.S.-mediated talks in Abu Dhabi
   9. U.S. Department of State (.gov) — Secretary of State Marco Rubio Remarks to the Press
   10. Reuters — Ukraine's Zelenskiy says he is pleased with messages from US envoys on diplomatic efforts to end war
   11. Al Jazeera — Putin is not ready to make peace in Abu Dhabi
   12. The Guardian — Ukraine’s Zelenskyy ‘happy’ with US envoys’ approach as Russia talks enter second day – Europe live
   confidence 88%