A potential prisoner exchange and security guarantees for Ukraine were on the agenda as the US-mediated negotiations resumed.
Russian and Ukrainian delegations met in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday, 10 November, for their first US-mediated peace talks since February. The opening session lasted about four hours and was scheduled to be followed by a second meeting on Wednesday. It ended without an announced ceasefire. [1][2]
The United Arab Emirates hosted the meeting, which opened in the presence of Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan. US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner took part. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy described the discussion as constructive. [1][3]
Prisoner exchanges and security guarantees
Speaking in Copenhagen, Zelenskyy said the delegations discussed prisoner exchanges, the release of civilians held in captivity and the return of Ukrainian children taken by Russia. The Associated Press reported that a large exchange was under discussion, citing a senior Ukrainian official. The numbers and timing remained open. [1][4]
The delegations also discussed how to protect Ukraine against renewed attacks after a settlement. In a separate meeting in Abu Dhabi, representatives from the UK, the EU, other European partners, Ukraine, the US and NATO said any agreement should respect Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and include credible security guarantees. [4][5]
The ceasefire remains unresolved
Ukraine has called for an immediate ceasefire to open the way to a wider agreement. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Moscow would need to know what would follow a ceasefire before accepting one. [1][6]
The talks opened after overnight Russian strikes hit five major electricity substations, causing widespread outages, Ukrainian officials told Reuters. The damage puts more pressure on Ukraine’s power and heating networks ahead of winter. [6]
Why it matters
An agreed prisoner exchange could bring people home while negotiations on a broader settlement continue. The next session will test whether delegates can agree on an exchange timetable or take steps towards a pause in fighting and lasting security guarantees.
Sources
1. Associated Press — Opening session and Wednesday follow-up
2. Le Monde — Status after the opening session
3. UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs — Opening of the trilateral talks
4. Office of the President of Ukraine — Zelenskyy’s remarks in Copenhagen
5. Council of the EU — Joint statement on the separate Abu Dhabi meeting
6. Reuters — Power grid strikes and Russia’s ceasefire position
