Ukraine and Russia Exchange 314 POWs After U.S.-Brokered Abu Dhabi Talks
Trilateral talks in Abu Dhabi on Feb. 4-5, 2026 produced a reciprocal exchange of 157 prisoners each and agreement to reestablish high-level military dialogue.
Overview
U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff announced that Ukraine and Russia exchanged 314 prisoners of war — 157 each — following two-day trilateral talks in Abu Dhabi that concluded on Feb. 5, 2026.
The talks brought senior delegations including Ukraine's Rustem Umerov and Kyrylo Budanov and Russia's Kirill Dmitriev and Igor Kostyukov to discuss Donbas, the Zaporizhzhia plant and post-war security guarantees, officials said.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy posted video of returning Ukrainian soldiers on X and thanked troops, while Kirill Dmitriev told reporters, as quoted by Russia's Tass, that 'there is certainly progress,' and Steve Witkoff wrote on X that 'sustained diplomatic engagement is delivering tangible results.'
Kyrylo Budanov confirmed on X that 157 Ukrainian prisoners were returned, including 139 held since 2022 and 19 he said were 'illegally sentenced,' and Russia's Defense Ministry said freed Russian troops were handed over in Belarus before transfer to Russian medical facilities.
U.S. European Command said U.S. and Russian negotiators agreed to reestablish high-level military-to-military dialogue suspended since 2021, and officials said working groups will continue meetings while territorial disputes over Donbas remain unresolved.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources present the coverage neutrally: they attribute statements to officials on all sides, avoid loaded adjectives, and balance diplomatic progress (POW swap, revived military dialogue) with ongoing hostilities. Editorial choices emphasize factual details (numbers, delegations), cite official statements, and reserve evaluative language for quoted sources rather than reporters.
Sources (9)
FAQ
The Ukrainian delegation included Rustem Umerov (Secretary of Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council) and Kyrylo Budanov (head of Zelenskyy's presidential office). The Russian delegation included Kirill Dmitriev (CEO of Russian Direct Investment Fund) and Igor Kostyukov (head of GRU). U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff was involved.
The talks covered the Donbas region, control of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, and post-war security guarantees. Territorial disputes over Donbas remain unresolved.
The U.S. and Russia agreed to reestablish high-level military-to-military dialogue, suspended since 2021. Working groups will continue meetings.
The previous prisoner exchange between Ukraine and Russia occurred on October 2, 2025.
History
- 4 sources