Diplomatic momentum is building in the Russia-Ukraine conflict after envoys from all three nations—US, Russia, and Ukraine—finalized a deal for swapping 314 prisoners. The pact was revealed by Steve Witkoff, President Trump’s special representative, in an X update from Abu Dhabi.
Describing the talks as ‘detailed and productive,’ Witkoff noted, ‘Plenty of work lies ahead, but steps like this show steady diplomacy achieving real progress toward ending the Ukraine war.’ He forecasted gains in upcoming negotiations following the encouraging Abu Dhabi exchanges.
Hosted in the UAE, Wednesday’s session featured Ukraine’s Rustem Umerov with US officials and counterparts from Russia and Ukraine. This followed a prior UAE meeting last month that advanced marginally but left major hurdles intact. The two-day format allowed for in-depth discussions on immediate humanitarian relief.
Core impasse: territory. Rubio last week identified land as the lone but explosive barrier. Moscow’s stance is firm—Ukraine must vacate all of eastern Donbas. While rejecting outright, Zelenskyy signals flexibility via options like selective retreats and demilitarized areas in the east.
This exchange could serve as a precursor to wider de-escalation, analysts say. It highlights US mediation’s role in neutral settings and the potential for incremental wins. With lives on the line, sustained pressure from Washington may yet bridge divides, paving the way for a comprehensive ceasefire.