Russia and Ukraine agree prisoner swap as talks stall

Talks conclude with prisoner deal

Russia and Ukraine agreed to a large prisoner of war exchange after two days of U.S.

First meeting in nine months

The delegations had not met since February on Russia's invasion, which analysts and humanitarian organizations say has killed hundreds of thousands of soldiers and thousands of civilians.

Kushner announces biggest humanitarian release

Jared Kushner, U.S. President Donald Trump's son-in-law, said after talks ended: "One of the positives is we agreed that we're going to have the biggest humanitarian release of prisoners, which we're going to finalize the…

“One of the positives is we agreed that we're going to have the biggest humanitarian release of prisoners, which we're going to finalize the numbers tomorrow.”

Exchange confirmed in principle

Vladimir Medinsky, head of the Russian delegation, and Rustem Umerov, who led Kyiv's contingent, confirmed the planned POW exchange, although Medinsky noted the agreement was in principle.

Swap could be one of the biggest

Alexander Zorin, a deputy chief of the General Staff's information department, told Russian state TV the exchange would be one of the biggest such swaps after the one thousand soldiers returned home last year.

Kushner to meet Putin and Zelenskyy

Kushner and U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff will travel to Moscow on Thursday to meet with President Vladimir Putin, then fly to Dublin, Ireland, to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Europe excluded from direct talks

Moscow excluded European officials from the three-way negotiations. Umerov said Kyiv's delegation was expected to meet later Wednesday with representatives of European governments, the European Union and NATO who were in Abu Dhabi but did…

Ukraine demands European representation

Zelenskyy said on X: "Ukraine's priority is to end the war as soon as possible with a dignified peace. We believe that Europe must be represented at every stage of real diplomacy."

“Ukraine's priority is to end the war as soon as possible with a dignified peace. We believe that Europe must be represented at every stage of real diplomacy.”

Russia resists European involvement

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said European representatives could eventually join peace talks but added their current statements "don't indicate any desire on their part to contribute to movement along the path toward peace."

“don't indicate any desire on their part to contribute to movement along the path toward peace.”

Security arrangements remain unresolved

Kushner said both Ukraine and Russia needed clarity on postwar security arrangements. Ukraine wants to ensure Moscow doesn't invade again. EU officials say discussions on Europe's security arrangements could only start after a ceasefire.

Fighting continues on front lines

Fighting continues on the front line, where little territory has changed hands this year.Both countries are battering each other with long-range missiles and drones.

POW exchange could build momentum

Kushner posted on X that the prisoner exchange "will reunite families, build trust and create momentum toward peace," though he acknowledged there is no trust between the sides after a conflict like this.

“will reunite families, build trust and create momentum toward peace.”