U.S.-Russia-Ukraine Trilateral Talks on Ending War Conclude; Prisoner Exchange Only Agreement

Agreement to exchange more than 1,000 prisoners
Positions remain far apart on territorial and security issues

AFP-Yonhap News

Three-way talks between the United States, Ukraine and Russia on ending the war concluded after two days. During the talks, Ukraine and Russia agreed to the largest prisoner exchange since the start of the war. However, their positions on territorial and security issues remain far apart, and the talks reportedly failed to produce a breakthrough toward ending the war.

According to CNN on November 11 local time, the three-way talks between the United States, Russia and Ukraine, which began the previous day in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE), concluded that day. The parties announced that, following two days of talks, they had agreed to the largest prisoner exchange since the start of the war. According to Russia, the exact number of prisoners to be exchanged has not been finalized, but more than 1,000 are expected to be exchanged over the next two to three weeks.

U.S. special envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff, who mediated the three-way talks, said they would travel to Moscow on November 12 to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin, then proceed to Dublin, Ireland, to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. They plan to brief both leaders on the outcome of the talks, review it with them and discuss proposals that could lead to further progress. At a press conference after the talks, Kushner said, "The discussions were very substantive. Since the two sides were meeting again for the first time in eight months, we discussed a wide range of issues, including territory. The meeting was productive, but it was not without difficulty."

However, the talks reportedly once again failed to achieve the hoped-for breakthrough toward ending the war. Vladimir Medinsky, an aide to the Russian president who led the Russian delegation, said at a press conference that day, "Not a single inch of our land will be left outside Russia," signaling that Russia would make no concessions on territorial issues. He added, "We reached a mutual understanding in some areas, but not in others. The talks will continue."

Russia also maintained its position during these talks that Ukraine must hand over the entire Donbas region, including the eastern front-line areas. Ukraine rejected Russia's demand and insisted that a ceasefire should be based on maintaining the current front line.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.