Ukraine and Russia have conducted a rare exchange of prisoners of war and civilians after two days of US-brokered peace talks in Abu Dhabi.
A total of 157 Ukrainians - seven of them civilians - and 157 Russian soldiers were returned home in the first such swap in four months.
Russian, Ukrainian and US teams took part in the talks in the capital of the United Arab Emirates, with the main sticking points believed to be territorial concessions Ukraine is under pressure to make and security guarantees for it to prevent further Russian attacks if a deal is agreed to end the four-year war.
No breakthrough has been reported. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the talks had not been easy, emphasizing the need for faster results.
In a social media post, Zelensky underscored the significance of the prisoner exchange, stating it was necessary for also returning civilians along with soldiers, many of whom had been in captivity since 2022.
The recent negotiations occurred during a renewed wave of Russian missile attacks, which have left many Ukrainians without electricity and heating during freezing temperatures.
The trilateral talks indicate ongoing international efforts to negotiate peace, yet the path forward remains fraught with challenges as both Russia and Ukraine maintain firm stances on territorial and security issues.
