Delegations from Russia, Ukraine, and the US wrapped up two days of trilateral talks in Abu Dhabi on February 5, 2026, resulting in a significant prisoner swap. Each side released 157 captives—soldiers, sergeants, officers, and civilians—totaling 314 individuals freed, marking the first large-scale exchange in nearly five months. The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs hailed the cooperation, noting it as their 18th mediation effort, bringing the overall total to 4,955 prisoners exchanged.
US envoy Steve Witkoff described the discussions as "detailed and productive," focusing on ceasefire implementation and monitoring, though no joint statement emerged on core issues like territory or security guarantees. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed the return of Ukrainians held since 2022, including Mariupol defenders, many needing medical care. He thanked frontline troops for enabling such deals through battlefield gains.
In a separate disclosure during the talks' context, Zelensky acknowledged over 55,000 Ukrainian soldiers killed since Russia's 2022 invasion, providing the latest official toll amid ongoing fighting. Russia's Defense Ministry reported its returnees received humanitarian aid from the UAE and US, with medical support underway. Both sides called the atmosphere positive, signaling potential for future swaps despite unresolved tensions. The UAE emphasized its neutral role in fostering dialogue to ease the humanitarian crisis.
