More than 600,000 lose power as fighting continues; U.S. brokers another Russia-Ukraine prisoner swap, Putin sticks to territory demand

Prisoner exchange agreed

Vladimir Medinsky, who heads Russia’s delegation, and Rustem Umerov, who led Ukraine’s team in Abu Dhabi, confirmed the planned exchange. The talks also addressed humanitarian concerns, including the possible return of Ukrainian civilians held in captivity and children taken from the country, Zelenskyy said.

Territory remains a major hurdle

Russia’s demand that its seizure of a large part of eastern Ukraine be recognized as legitimate remained a key barrier to wider peace efforts. The article describes the regions as largely, but not entirely, occupied by Russia.

Zelenskyy warned that surrendering the Donbas would not ensure Russia stopped its war. He said Moscow could pause and return later, asking who would be responsible if that happened.

U.S. envoys plan meetings

Jared Kushner and U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff are scheduled to travel to Moscow on Thursday to meet Putin, then continue to Dublin for talks with Zelenskyy. Zelenskyy said Ukraine would coordinate its positions with the envoys after their Moscow visit and consider possible next steps.

Russian official Yuri Ushakov said Moscow had not yet fully assessed the Abu Dhabi discussions, but believed the U.S. envoys were bringing proposals. Medinsky said the sides had moved closer to peace, while adding that progress depended on Ukraine, the United States and Europe.

Fighting and political pressures

The article says the negotiations have taken place in a changed political context since the previous meeting in Geneva in February. Democrats could take control of Congress in January after U.S. midterm elections and press the Trump administration to provide more support for Ukraine.