Ukraine, Russia Carry Out Prisoner Swap During 2nd Day of Peace Talks

Special envoy Steve Witkoff at the Elysee Palace in Paris on Jan. 6, 2026. Ludovic Marin/AFP via Getty ImagesU.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff on Feb. 5 announced an agreement between Kyiv and Moscow to exchange 314 prisoners, the first such swap in five months, following U.S.-brokered talks in Abu Dhabi.“This outcome was achieved from peace talks that have been detailed and productive. While significant work remains, steps like this demonstrate that sustained diplomatic engagement is delivering tangible results and advancing efforts to end the war in Ukraine,” Witkoff wrote in a post on X. “Discussions will continue, with additional progress anticipated in the coming weeks.”