U.S.-Backed Talks Deliver Prisoner Exchange Between Ukraine And Russia

Ukraine and Russia carried out their first prisoner exchange in more than four months on Thursday, following renewed U.S.-mediated peace talks. U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff said the two sides agreed to exchange 314 prisoners during the second round of trilateral negotiations held in Abu Dhabi.

Ukraine and Russia carry out first prisoner exchange in months as U.S. touts "tangible results" in peace talks https://t.co/jVXlzQ8F7e

— CBS Mornings (@CBSMornings) February 5, 2026

Russia later confirmed that 157 prisoners from each country were released, with freed Russian soldiers shown boarding buses in Belarus, according to CBS News.

Witkoff described the talks as productive and said the exchange showed diplomacy is producing tangible results, even as major issues remain unresolved.

We 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.

Today's… pic.twitter.com/nn7zZYESsd

— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) February 5, 2026

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy welcomed the swap, calling it a critical breakthrough after a long pause and pledging continued efforts to free all Ukrainians held by Russia.

The last prisoner exchange took place in October 2025. Officials say future talks will focus on humanitarian steps first, while sensitive issues such as territory will be addressed later.

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