Prisoner Exchange Talks in Abu Dhabi Highlight UAE’s Growing Role in Humanitarian Diplomacy
Delegations from the United States, Ukraine and Russia meet in Abu Dhabi for humanitarian prisoner exchange talks. Delegations from the United States, Ukraine and Russia have agreed to exchange 314 prisoners following talks held in Abu Dhabi, marking the first such swap in nearly five months. The discussions, described as detailed and outcome-focused, resulted in a humanitarian agreement at a time when diplomatic engagement between the parties has remained limited elsewhere. The negotiations were hosted in the United Arab Emirates , reinforcing Abu Dhabi’s position as a neutral meeting ground where rivals are still willing to engage on sensitive issues. While no immediate breakdown has been provided on how many prisoners each side will release, officials confirmed that the agreement prioritises humanitarian outcomes, with further discussions expected to continue in the coming weeks. Outcome-First Diplomacy Over Political Positioning U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff said the talk...