Ukraine Talks Produce 314-Prisoner Exchange

Delegations from Russia and Ukraine have agreed to exchange 314 prisoners of war. This was announced by US President«s Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, who is participating in negotiations on the Ukraine conflict.

«Today, delegations from the US, Ukraine, and Russia agreed to exchange 314 prisoners — the first such exchange in five months. This result was achieved during detailed and productive peace negotiations,» Witkoff wrote on social media X.

He called the Ukraine talks in Abu Dhabi «detailed and productive.» Discussions will continue in the coming weeks. According to him, much work remains.

According to a TASS source, a possible option for Ukraine«s security guarantees may involve not peacekeepers but a rapid response from multinational forces.

«Peacekeepers do not suit everyone, so this could be a rapid response by multinational forces,» the agency«s source clarified.

Head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) and special representative of the Russian President for investment and economic cooperation Kirill Dmitriev earlier reported progress on the Ukraine settlement. According to him, in addition to discussing the conflict itself, work is underway to restore economic cooperation between Russia and the US.

The second round of trilateral negotiations between Russia, Ukraine, and the US is taking place in Abu Dhabi on 4 and 5 February. The Russian delegation is led by Admiral Igor Kostyukov, head of the Main Directorate of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces. The main representative of the Ukrainian side is NSDC Secretary Rustem Umerov. From the US, President«s Special Envoy Steven Witkoff and President Donald Trump»s son-in-law Jared Kushner are present at the talks. The first such meeting took place on 23–24 January.

Russia returned 157 servicemen from Ukrainian captivity, and in exchange handed over 157 POWs of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, the Ministry of Defense reported. The Russian servicemen are currently in Belarus, where they are receiving necessary assistance. They will later be transported to Russia for treatment and rehabilitation.

In addition, three residents of the Kursk region were returned. They will be taken home.