The second round of U.S.-mediated negotiations between Russia and Ukraine concluded in Abu Dhabi on Thursday, with both sides agreeing to exchange 157 prisoners each but making no progress on critical issues such as territorial disputes or a ceasefire. The talks, held under UAE mediation, highlighted persistent divisions over security guarantees and the future status of contested regions.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy described the discussions as "not easy," emphasizing Kyiv’s desire for faster progress toward peace. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov accused European nations of obstructing negotiations, calling their proposals for post-conflict security "absurd" and reiterating demands for a "neutral and benevolent Ukraine."
While the prisoner swap marked the first such exchange in five months, the absence of a joint political statement underscored unresolved tensions. U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff acknowledged the need for "greater efforts" to achieve a comprehensive settlement, with Zelenskyy hinting at future talks potentially hosted in the United States.
The UAE Foreign Ministry praised the prisoner exchange as a step toward easing the crisis, reaffirming its role as a neutral mediator. Analysts warn, however, that without addressing core territorial and security concerns, the conflict risks prolonged instability.
