{"id":33981,"date":"2026-02-06T15:30:26","date_gmt":"2026-02-06T13:30:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/?p=33981"},"modified":"2026-02-07T19:20:28","modified_gmt":"2026-02-07T17:20:28","slug":"russia-and-ukraine-swap-314-prisoners-after-trilateral-talks-with-us-in-uae","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/russia-and-ukraine-swap-314-prisoners-after-trilateral-talks-with-us-in-uae\/","title":{"rendered":"Russia and Ukraine swap 314 prisoners after trilateral talks with US in UAE"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><em>6 minure read<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Russia and Ukraine agreed to exchange 314 prisoners of war, 157 from each side, on February 5, 2026. The first such swap in five months came after trilateral talks between American, Ukrainian, and Russian negotiators concluded in Abu Dhabi amid continued uncertainty over broader peace negotiations.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The exchange was confirmed after U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff said the two sides had agreed to release a total of 314 prisoners following \u201cdetailed and productive\u201d talks in the United Arab Emirates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Russia\u2019s Defense Ministry said 157 of its servicemen were returned as part of the exchange, along with three Russian civilians from the Kursk region who had been held in Ukraine. Ukrainian authorities reported that 150 of the Ukrainians released were military personnel, while seven were civilians.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed the exchange, stating, \u201cWe are bringing our people home, 157 Ukrainians. Warriors from the Armed Forces, National Guard, and the State Border Guard Service. Soldiers, sergeants, and officers. Along with our defenders, civilians are also returning. Most of them had been in captivity since 2022.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Russian officials said the freed servicemen were initially transported to Belarus, where they are receiving medical and psychological assistance. They are expected to be transferred to Moscow in the coming days for further treatment and rehabilitation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The United Arab Emirates acted as a mediator in facilitating the exchange, while both the UAE and the United States were credited by Russian authorities with providing humanitarian assistance during the process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Today, delegations from the United States, Ukraine, and Russia agreed to exchange 314 prisoners\u2014the first such exchange in five months.<br><br>This outcome was achieved from peace talks that have been detailed and productive. While significant work remains, steps like this demonstrate\u2026<\/p>\u2014 Special Envoy Steve Witkoff (@SEPeaceMissions) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/SEPeaceMissions\/status\/2019354305661137340?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">February 5, 2026<\/a><\/blockquote> <script async=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><br><br><strong>First Prisoner Swap in Months<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Witkoff described the exchange as the first such swap between the two countries in about five months. Previous exchanges took place in 2025, including a deal in October that saw both sides swap soldiers and civilians as part of arrangements reached during earlier talks in Istanbul.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThis outcome was achieved from peace talks that have been detailed and productive,\u201d Witkoff said on social media. \u201cWhile significant work remains, steps like this demonstrate that sustained diplomatic engagement is delivering tangible results and advancing efforts to end the war in Ukraine.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>He added that \u201cadditional progress\u201d was expected in the coming weeks, though it remains unclear whether the Abu Dhabi talks produced any breakthroughs toward a broader ceasefire or peace agreement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><br><strong>Talks Continue in Abu Dhabi<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The prisoner exchange came as Russia, Ukraine, and the United States concluded a second round of trilateral discussions in the Emirati capital. Negotiators met over two days, working both in joint sessions and smaller groups.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Ukraine\u2019s chief negotiator, Rustem Umerov, said earlier that discussions were focused on \u201cconcrete steps and practical solutions\u201d to ending the war, which is approaching its fourth year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Kyrylo Budanov, head of Ukraine\u2019s presidential office, described the talks as \u201cconstructive\u201d but did not provide further details. Russian authorities have not publicly assessed the negotiations in detail.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-full is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Ukrainian-prisoners-of-war.jpg?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"900\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Ukrainian-prisoners-of-war.jpg?resize=900%2C600&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Ukrainian prisoners of war\" class=\"wp-image-33992\" style=\"width:840px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Ukrainian-prisoners-of-war.jpg?w=900&amp;ssl=1 900w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Ukrainian-prisoners-of-war.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Ukrainian-prisoners-of-war.jpg?resize=768%2C512&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Ukrainian-prisoners-of-war.jpg?resize=589%2C392&amp;ssl=1 589w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em><sup>Ukrainian prisoners of war arrive in Ukrainian territory after a swap, amid Russia&#8217;s attack on Ukraine, at an undisclosed location, Ukraine, on February 5, 2026. (Image Credit: Ukrainian Presidential Press Service)<\/sup><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>The Russian delegation included military intelligence chief Igor Kostyukov and other senior officials. Kremlin envoy and Russian Direct Investment Fund CEO Kirill Dmitriev said separate meetings were also taking place with U.S. officials in Abu Dhabi to discuss economic relations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWe are actively working with the Trump administration to restore Russia-U.S. economic relations, including through the Russian-American Economic Cooperation Group. We met today, and the meetings are going well,\u201d Dmitriev said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><br><strong>Uncertain Path to Peace<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Despite the renewed diplomatic engagement, prospects for a comprehensive peace agreement remain unclear. U.S. President Donald Trump has previously pledged to end the war quickly, but negotiations have yet to produce a settlement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said ahead of the talks that the \u201cdoors for a peaceful resolution\u201d remain open but warned that Russia\u2019s military campaign would continue unless Kyiv takes what Moscow considers appropriate steps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cOur position is crystal clear,\u201d Peskov said. \u201cSo long as the Kyiv regime does not take the appropriate steps, the special military operation will continue.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Territorial issues remain the most contentious element of negotiations. Russia has demanded that Ukraine hand over the eastern Donbas region, despite not fully controlling the territory. Ukrainian officials have rejected the demand, with Zelenskyy reiterating that Kyiv will not concede territory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Zelenskyy has said Moscow previously halted prisoner swaps and was reluctant to engage in exchanges because it did not see them as beneficial. However, he suggested that the latest round of talks featured a more serious Russian delegation and provided an opportunity for practical steps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><br>US and Russia Agree to Establish Military Dialogue<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In addition to the prisoner exchange, the United States European Command said Washington and Moscow had agreed during the Abu Dhabi talks to reestablish high-level military-to-military dialogue, to be led by Commander of U.S. European Command General Alexus Grynkewich. The dialogue had been suspended shortly before Russia\u2019s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cMaintaining 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,\u201d the command said.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-large is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/US-Ukraine-Russia-talks-in-UAE.jpg?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1016\" height=\"564\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/US-Ukraine-Russia-talks-in-UAE.jpg?resize=1016%2C564&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"U.S., Russian and Ukrainian delegations\" class=\"wp-image-33994\" style=\"width:840px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/US-Ukraine-Russia-talks-in-UAE.jpg?resize=1024%2C568&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/US-Ukraine-Russia-talks-in-UAE.jpg?resize=300%2C167&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/US-Ukraine-Russia-talks-in-UAE.jpg?resize=768%2C426&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/US-Ukraine-Russia-talks-in-UAE.jpg?w=1200&amp;ssl=1 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1016px) 100vw, 1016px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em><sup>Members of the U.S., Russian, and Ukrainian delegations, including U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, Jared Kushner, Secretary of Ukraine&#8217;s National Security and Defence Council Rustem Umerov, and head of Russian military intelligence and head of Russia\u2019s team in security talks Admiral Igor Kostyukov, attend the second round of trilateral talks in Abu Dhabi, UAE, on February 4, 2026. (Image Credit: UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs)<\/sup><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>The talks took place amid continued fighting and strikes by both sides. A day before negotiations began, Russia launched missile and drone attacks on Ukraine\u2019s energy infrastructure, cutting power and heating during subzero temperatures. Ukrainian strikes also left thousands without electricity in Russia\u2019s Belgorod region, according to local officials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Ukrainian authorities said the attacks raised doubts about Moscow\u2019s commitment to diplomacy, while Russian officials pointed to ongoing Ukrainian strikes as evidence that the conflict remains active despite negotiations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><br><strong>Humanitarian Steps Amid Ongoing War<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>While the prisoner exchange does not signal a broader breakthrough, it represents one of the few areas of continued cooperation between the warring sides. Such exchanges have been among the most consistent outcomes of periodic negotiations since the war began.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Witkoff said discussions would continue in the coming weeks, raising the possibility of further humanitarian agreements or confidence-building measures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For now, the latest swap underscores the limited but tangible results of ongoing diplomacy, even as fundamental disagreements over territory, security guarantees, and the future of occupied regions continue to block progress toward a comprehensive peace settlement.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Russia and Ukraine agreed to exchange 314 prisoners of war, 157 from each side, on February 5, 2026. The first such swap in five months come afte trilateral talks between American, Ukrainian and Russian negotiators concluded in Abu Dhabi amid continued uncertainty over broader peace negotiations.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":33991,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[62,1],"tags":[75,60,5,49,706,20,7,141,22,128],"class_list":["post-33981","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-europe","category-news","tag-conflict","tag-humanitarian-crisis","tag-military","tag-peace","tag-pow","tag-russia","tag-u-s","tag-uae","tag-ukraine","tag-war"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/ukrainian-pows.jpg?fit=690%2C370&ssl=1","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p7jJWb-8Q5","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/33981","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=33981"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/33981\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":34050,"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/33981\/revisions\/34050"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/33991"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=33981"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=33981"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=33981"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}