Ukraine, US and Russia Discuss Major Prisoner Swap in Abu Dhabi

· novinite.com

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said negotiations in Abu Dhabi had addressed the possibility of exchanging 1,000 or potentially 1,500 prisoners of war from each side, adding that the issue would be on the agenda of an upcoming US visit to Russia.

Speaking at a press conference on November 11, Zelensky said the negotiating teams had discussed a large-scale prisoner swap during the first round of talks, while Wednesday's meeting was expected to be the main day of negotiations.

“Tomorrow is the main day for the negotiating team. Today, they discussed the possibility of an exchange. They want to arrange a 1,000-for-1,000 exchange, possibly 1,500-for-1,500. The Americans will travel to Russia with a large-scale prisoner exchange on their agenda,” Zelensky said.

He added that territorial issues had also been raised by the Russian side, but said decisions on that subject would have to be made by the leaders. The Ukrainian negotiating team has the mandate to discuss the matter, he said.

Zelensky also stressed the importance of European representatives taking part in the discussions. NATO and EU membership were among the other significant issues addressed during the negotiations.

Wednesday's talks are expected to concentrate more closely on de-escalation measures, energy issues, the Black Sea and the possibility of a trilateral meeting at the leaders' level.

The first round of trilateral negotiations involving Ukraine, the United States and Russia has concluded in Abu Dhabi. According to a source cited by Ukrainska Pravda, the participants discussed security guarantees, Russia's demands and Ukraine's post-war future.

The Ukrainian delegation is headed by Rustem Umierov, Head of the Foreign Intelligence Service. Other members include Kyrylo Budanov, Head of the President's Office; Davyd Arakhamiia, leader of the Servant of the People parliamentary faction; Serhii Kyslytsia, First Deputy Head of the President's Office; and Vadym Skibitskyi, Deputy Head of Defence Intelligence of Ukraine.

During the initial trilateral meeting on November 10, the parties agreed to organize a large-scale prisoner exchange in the near future.

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