Zelensky announces major prisoner exchange and talks in UAE or Switzerland

Government negotiations with representatives of the US administration have opened new prospects for ending hostilities. Following a meeting in Ireland on 12 November, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that the contacts are expected to result in the largest prisoner exchange between Ukraine and Russia.

Europe to gain voting rights at the negotiating table

A key outcome of the contacts held in Abu Dhabi was the unblocking of the trilateral format. Zelensky emphasised that this created the preconditions for further progress. Specifically, representatives of European states will be present at the negotiating table at upcoming meetings. They will not be limited to separate consultations but will have full voting rights.

“У них буде право голосу. Це важливо для нас, тому що війна відбувається в Європі” (They will have voting rights. This is important for us because the war is taking place in Europe), the Ukrainian leader underlined, adding that such participation is necessary to ensure security guarantees and the country's future.

Position of US envoys

Steve Witkoff, who participated in the negotiations alongside Jared Kushner, confirmed that Donald Trump intends to personally lead efforts to end the war.

“Трамп має намір очолити зусилля щодо припинення цієї війни. Таке доручення було дане мені та Джареду” (Trump intends to lead the efforts to end this war. Such an instruction was given to me and Jared), Witkoff told journalists. According to him, the meetings in Abu Dhabi were successful and yielded concrete results, one of which is the largest prisoner exchange expected in the near future.

Location and timing of the next meeting

Organisational work on the next round of negotiations is ongoing, and the meeting will take place soon. Zelensky clarified that the venue may change: talks on a ceasefire could be held in the UAE or Switzerland. The final decision will depend on the negotiating teams.

The president also stated that Ukraine could return more than a thousand people from Russian captivity. In his view, this step should serve as the basis for further agreements on a ceasefire.

Security guarantees and Moscow's position

Jared Kushner summarised that the parties have made significant progress on the issue of security guarantees. Discussions covered not only security issues for Ukraine but also for the entire region after the end of the war.

“Потенціал України — неймовірний. Післявоєнні плани, над якими ми працюємо, — справді неймовірні” (Ukraine's potential is incredible. The post-war plans we are working on are truly incredible), Kushner emphasised.

He also added that Russian dictator Vladimir Putin agreed to Europe's participation in peace negotiations. The US side insisted that it is impossible to conclude a war-ending agreement without representatives of European countries.