Abu Dhabi talks covered possible exchange of 1,000 or 1,500 prisoners per side – Zelenskyy

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said that the possibility of a large-scale prisoner-of-war exchange was discussed during negotiations in Abu Dhabi.

Source: Zelenskyy's press conference on 11 November

Quote: "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.

The second issue was territory, which was raised by the Russians. This is an issue for the leaders to discuss – our negotiators have that mandate. It was very important that representatives from Europe were present."

Details: Zelenskyy identified NATO and EU membership as another important issue raised during the negotiations.

He said that Wednesday's talks will focus more on de-escalation measures, energy, the Black Sea and a trilateral meeting at leaders' level.

Background:

• The first round of Ukraine-US-Russia trilateral talks has concluded in Abu Dhabi.
• A source told Ukrainska Pravda that during the first round of the talks, the parties discussed security guarantees and Russia's demands and touched on the issue of the post-war future.
• The Ukrainian delegation is led by Rustem Umierov, Head of the Foreign Intelligence Service. Kyiv is also represented by 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 first round of trilateral talks between Ukraine, the US and Russia in Abu Dhabi on 10 November, the parties agreed to hold a "large-scale prisoner exchange in the near future".

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