Russia's negotiator says prisoner swap agreed as Abu Dhabi talks with Ukraine end

Russian and Ukrainian delegations held a second day of US-mediated talks in Abu Dhabi on 11 November 2026, according to France 24, Daily Sabah, The Hindu, TASS and the Guardian. The Guardian and TASS reported that the day's talks have ended. Daily Sabah and The Hindu reported that it was the last scheduled day of this round. They also reported that the talks are the first direct meeting between the two delegations since February.

Russia's chief negotiator, Vladimir Medinsky, said mutual understanding was reached on some issues and that more talks will be held, according to the Guardian. He also said Russia and Ukraine had agreed on a large-scale prisoner swap. The reports reviewed by Vocemundi do not describe a breakthrough on ending the war.

Rustem Umerov leads Ukraine's delegation. According to Daily Sabah and The Hindu, he said the day would begin with a trilateral meeting of Ukraine, Russia and the United States. A separate Ukrainian meeting with European partners would follow. The Hindu and the Guardian reported that European representatives met the Ukrainian delegation in Abu Dhabi. They had no direct role in the trilateral format. The Kremlin said its delegation was not in contact with European representatives, according to Daily Sabah. Neither Volodymyr Zelenskyy nor Vladimir Putin attended in person. Daily Sabah and The Hindu reported that each side accused the other of attacks overnight while the talks were under way.

What is not yet known: The reports do not include the number of prisoners, the timing or the categories of prisoners in the swap Medinsky described. They do not include Ukrainian or US confirmation of the agreement. They do not include a statement from the US delegation on the outcome. They do not describe what was discussed on the second day about territory or security guarantees. They do not say whether a date has been set for the next round.

Produced by the Vocemundi newsroom with AI assistance.