US Special Envoy Says Dialogue to End Ukraine War in UAE Constructive

JAKARTA - Special Envoy of the United States Steve Witkoff on Thursday said that the dialogue to end the war in Ukraine held in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE) was constructive.

The United States, Russia and Ukraine continued trilateral dialogue to find a way to end the war that has lasted for four years.

The talks "focused on how to create conditions for lasting peace," Witkoff said in a statement, Anadolu (6/2) reported.

This comes after delegations from the US, Ukraine, and Russia met on February 4-5 for the second trilateral meeting in Abu Dhabi, to advance efforts to end the war in Ukraine.

Witkoff said the delegation reached an agreement under which Russia and Ukraine would each release 157 prisoners of war.

"This is the first exchange in the last five months," he added.

Russia and Ukraine last exchanged prisoners on October 2, 2025, as part of an agreement reached in the Turkish metropolis of Istanbul, which hosted three rounds of direct peace talks earlier that year.

The US and Russia also agreed to establish a military-to-military dialogue to be led by US European Command Commander General Alexus Grynkewich, Witkoff said.

During the two-day meeting, the delegation held extensive discussions on unresolved issues, including potential mechanisms for implementing a ceasefire and monitoring the cessation of military activities, the envoy said.

"The delegation agreed to return to their respective capitals and continue trilateral discussions in the coming weeks," Witkoff said.

Separately, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Thursday confirmed that a new meeting of the negotiating team would be held in the near future as part of efforts to end the war.