The Russian and Ukrainian delegations agreed, at the conclusion of a round of talks hosted in Abu Dhabi under American sponsorship, to proceed with a broad deal for the exchange of prisoners of war, which is the most significant tangible outcome of the negotiations, amidst ongoing disagreements regarding a ceasefire and security arrangements.
American envoy Jared Kushner stated in a press conference following the negotiations, which was followed by the news video agency, that the talks with both sides were very fruitful, announcing his intention to travel to Moscow on Thursday accompanied by Steve Witkoff to meet with President Vladimir Putin, before moving on to Dublin to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
It seems that the understanding on the prisoner exchange was mentioned in statements by the head of the Ukrainian delegation and Kushner, alongside Kyiv's discussion about the positive momentum that prevailed in the negotiations and its readiness to engage in new rounds of talks.
Zelensky had indicated, in earlier statements during his visit to Denmark, that the potential exchange could involve between 1,000 and 1,500 prisoners of war, without announcing the details of the numbers or the timing of the operation.
On the other hand, the round did not, according to what participants announced, yield practical steps for a ceasefire along the front lines or a truce in the energy sector, nor was there an agreement announced regarding ensuring freedom of navigation in the Black Sea.
These files were among the four demands that the Ukrainian side brought into the negotiations, alongside the prisoner issue; Kyiv sought a temporary cessation of fighting, a halt to targeting energy facilities, and securing maritime navigation.