05.02.2026 22:36
Steve Witkoff, the U.S. Special Representative for the Middle East, announced that during the trilateral talks held in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, between the U.S., Russia, and Ukraine, the parties reached an agreement to exchange 157 prisoners of war each, marking the first exchange after 5 months.
Steve Witkoff, the U.S. President Donald Trump's Special Representative for the Middle East, announced that the U.S., Russia, and Ukraine have agreed to exchange 157 prisoners of war as a result of trilateral talks held in Abu Dhabi. This marks the first exchange after 5 months.
FIRST EXCHANGE BETWEEN RUSSIA AND UKRAINE AFTER 5 MONTHS
Witkoff shared information about the ongoing talks in Abu Dhabi between the U.S., Russia, and Ukraine on his account on the social media platform of the U.S.-based X company.
The Special Representative for the Middle East stated that after the talks held on February 4-5, the Russian and Ukrainian delegations agreed to release 157 prisoners of war each, emphasizing that this is the first exchange after 5 months.
TRILATERAL TALKS WILL CONTINUE
Witkoff reported that during the two days, the delegations discussed unresolved issues, including the implementation of a ceasefire and the cessation of military activities, and noted that the delegations decided to report back to their countries and continue trilateral talks in the coming weeks.
Witkoff, who reported that the U.S. and Russia have agreed to establish military dialogue under the leadership of General Alexus G. Grynkewich, the Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR), expressed that this communication channel is "vital for achieving and maintaining peace."
Witkoff noted that the delegations expressed their gratitude to the United Arab Emirates, which hosted the talks, and to U.S. President Donald Trump. The Russian Ministry of Defense had reported today that 157 Russian soldiers were returned from Ukraine, in exchange for 157 captured soldiers of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
PRISONER EXCHANGE WAS ALSO ON THE AGENDA IN ISTANBUL
In the negotiations held on May 16, 2025, at the Presidential Dolmabahçe Office in Istanbul between Russia and Ukraine, both sides agreed to continue negotiations after presenting detailed proposals for a comprehensive prisoner exchange of "1000 for 1000" and possible ceasefire discussions.
As a result of the negotiations held in Istanbul on June 2, 2025, the parties agreed on the delivery of frozen bodies of 6,000 Ukrainian soldiers, the exchange of severely ill and injured soldiers, and prisoners under the age of 25.
In the talks held in Istanbul in July 2025, they also agreed on another exchange of 1,200 individuals and the release of those who had been held captive for more than three years.