Ukraine-Russia-US talks to continue in 'coming weeks'

Trilateral talks between Ukraine and Russia, mediated by the United States, will continue in the coming weeks, Kyiv's lead negotiator Rustem Umerov has said after the latest round of talks in Abu Dhabi.

"The delegations agreed to inform their capitals and continue trilateral talks in the coming weeks. They expressed their gratitude to the United Arab Emirates for hosting the talks," Umerov said on social media.

"Ukraine is grateful to President Donald Trump for his leadership in promoting efforts to end the war," he added.

It comes as Ukraine and Russia have conducted their first prisoner exchange in months, each releasing at least 157 people.

The two sides have in the past conducted several rounds of prisoner swaps, one of the rare areas of direct cooperation between Ukraine and Russia amid the four-year war, but last month Kyiv accused Moscow of halting the exchanges.

Today, the countries swapped 157 captured soldiers and civilians each in an exchange mediated by Washington - the first since October.

"Today's exchange came after a long pause, and it is critical that we were able to make it happen. I thank everyone who works to make these exchanges possible," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on social media.

Images he posted showed the released prisoners, their heads freshly shaven, wrapped in Ukrainian flags and smiling amid falling snow.

Ukrainian Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets said among the 157 Ukrainians released "are seven civilians and those whom the Russians unlawfully convicted".

Mr Zelensky's aide Kyrylo Budanov said that in the group of the freed prisoners were 19 Ukrainians "who were illegally sentenced, 15 of them to life imprisonment".

Russia, who said the United States and United Arab Emirates acted as mediators for the exchange, announced earlier it had handed over 157 Ukrainian soldiers and that 157 Russian servicemen were returned.

"In addition, three Russian citizens, residents of the Kursk region... will be returned home," the Russian defence ministry said in a statement.

Ukrainian forces launched a surprise incursion into Russia's western Kursk region in 2024.

Russia, US agree to resume military contacts

Russia and the United States agreed to resume high-level military contacts, in a major step of rapprochement between the world's top nuclear powers at the Ukraine talks in Abu Dhabi.

Moscow and Washington suspended senior military dialogue shortly before Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, with then US President Joe Biden severing almost all contact with Russia.

But US President Donald Trump has restored communications with Moscow since he returned to the White House last year, holding several talks and a summit with Russian leader Vladimir Putin.

The US-Russia agreement was also announced hours after the New START treaty - the last nuclear agreement between Moscow and Washington - expired, triggering fears of a global arms race.

"The US and Russian Federation agreed today in Abu Dhabi to reestablish high level military-to-military dialogue," the US military's European Command said in a statement, adding that "the parties continue to work towards a lasting peace".

"Maintaining dialogue between militaries is an important factor in global stability and peace, which can only be achieved through strength, and provides a means for increased transparency and de-escalation," it added.

Moscow had not commented on the announcement.