UAE-hosted negotiations produce agreement in principle on major prisoner exchange, while Washington explores options to bridge differences between Moscow and Kyiv…reports Asian Lite News Desk
The United Arab Emirates’ diplomatic efforts to bring Russia and Ukraine closer to a negotiated settlement have gained renewed international attention following two days of US-mediated talks in Abu Dhabi, which secured agreement in principle on a major prisoner exchange despite persistent disagreements over territory and security.
The UAE capital hosted the third round of trilateral negotiations between Russia, Ukraine and the United States last week, providing a platform for the warring sides to discuss humanitarian measures, security guarantees and possible steps towards ending the conflict.
The discussions produced agreement in principle on a large-scale prisoner exchange, with US envoy Jared Kushner describing the outcome as a positive step. The talks also made progress on practical arrangements for monitoring a potential ceasefire and preventing further escalation.
However, the negotiations have yet to resolve the fundamental differences separating Moscow and Kyiv.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Saturday that American negotiators had raised the possibility of Ukraine withdrawing from parts of the eastern Donbas region in exchange for NATO membership. He said Kyiv was not prepared to surrender territory, underlining the difficulties facing efforts to reach a settlement.
The proposal was reportedly raised during the Abu Dhabi discussions, although Washington has not announced a formal agreement linking territorial concessions with NATO membership.
UAE reaffirms commitment to peace
His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, attended the launch of the latest round of negotiations and welcomed the confidence placed in the UAE by the three countries.
Conveying the greetings of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to US President Donald Trump, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Sheikh Abdullah reaffirmed the UAE’s commitment to supporting diplomatic initiatives aimed at ending the conflict.
He said the UAE would continue working to bridge differences between the parties and support efforts towards a political settlement.
Sheikh Abdullah expressed hope that the discussions would produce practical steps towards ending a crisis that has continued for nearly five years and caused immense humanitarian suffering.
He added that hosting the negotiations reflected international confidence in the UAE’s role and its consistent approach to supporting peace and stability.
The UAE has maintained diplomatic engagement with Moscow, Kyiv and Washington, positioning itself as a facilitator of dialogue at a time when efforts to end the conflict remain challenging.
Dr Anwar Gargash, Diplomatic Adviser to the UAE President, also welcomed the negotiations, describing Abu Dhabi’s role as an expression of the country’s constructive contribution to international diplomacy.
He said the UAE remained optimistic that the discussions could produce a positive breakthrough, adding that political and diplomatic solutions were essential to achieving sustainable peace and strengthening international stability.
Prisoner exchange offers progress
The agreement in principle on a major prisoner exchange emerged as the most tangible humanitarian outcome of the two-day negotiations.
Kushner said the parties had agreed to work towards what he described as the largest humanitarian release of prisoners, with the final numbers to be established.
Russia’s chief negotiator Vladimir Medinsky also confirmed that an agreement on a large-scale exchange had been reached.
The discussions covered other humanitarian issues, including the return of detained civilians and Ukrainian children, alongside security arrangements and the mechanisms required to monitor a possible ceasefire.
Kushner and fellow US envoy Steve Witkoff said the negotiations had made progress in understanding how to prevent clashes and establish arrangements for de-escalation.
Despite the progress, significant differences remain over the terms of a settlement.
Fresh diplomatic engagement
Following the Abu Dhabi meetings, Witkoff and Kushner travelled to Moscow on November 12 for discussions with Putin, before meeting Zelenskyy in Dublin.
The subsequent diplomatic engagement has brought renewed attention to the possibility of expanding the negotiating format to include European countries.
European representatives held separate consultations with US and Ukrainian officials in Abu Dhabi, although they did not participate directly in the trilateral discussions with Russia.
Zelenskyy has argued that Europe must be involved in decisions affecting the continent’s future security. European leaders have also backed representation involving Britain, France, Germany, Italy and Poland, alongside European Union officials.
