The key facts

  • Zelensky expects Witkoff and Kushner to convey Russia's response to the ceasefire proposals after meeting Putin
  • The talks in Abu Dhabi covered an exchange of 1,000–1,200 prisoners of war and security guarantees
  • Kushner said that in Moscow the sides would 'align the numbers' for the prisoner exchange

Talks in Abu Dhabi and the upcoming visit to Moscow

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, speaking at a joint press conference with Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin in Dublin, said he expects American envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to convey Russia's response to the ceasefire proposals after their planned talks with Vladimir Putin. The statement came after two days of trilateral talks mediated by the United States, held in Abu Dhabi since Tuesday — the first direct trilateral sessions since the discussions in Geneva in February.

What was discussed and what could not be resolved

According to Zelensky, proposals for an energy ceasefire and a halt to hostilities at sea were raised in Abu Dhabi, but the Russian delegation had no mandate to respond to them. Also discussed were a possible prisoner exchange, security guarantees for Ukraine, and preparations for a potential meeting of the leaders of Russia, Ukraine and the USA. On the humanitarian track, Zelensky noted, the talk was about an exchange of 1,000 or possibly 1,200 prisoners of war; he added that he sees no reason for Moscow to refuse. Kyiv also repeated its proposal for an 'all for all' exchange: according to him, thousands of Ukrainians and Russians remain in captivity. 'Nevertheless, we agreed that the American side will meet with the Russian leader, and all these issues will be raised there. Therefore, I expect to receive at least an answer,' Zelensky said. Kushner, at the same press conference, said that he and Witkoff would travel to Moscow on Thursday, where, in his words, they would 'align the numbers' of the prisoner exchange agreed upon following the talks on Tuesday and Wednesday. Zelensky himself plans to meet the American envoys in Dublin on Thursday, after their visit to Russia.

The territorial issue and the 'window of opportunity'

Zelensky also said that Washington had repeatedly raised the issue of Donbas, with the American side believing that Ukraine should withdraw from the region in order to end the war. He called such a demand impossible and stressed that progress on sensitive territorial issues requires discussion at the leaders' level. In his assessment, a 'window of opportunity' for achieving peace exists until 2027, but he remains a skeptic: 'We know who we are dealing with, and that the Russian side will not look favorably on everything. But is progress possible? Yes,' he added, linking this to the format of US–Russia dialogue. Zelensky also stressed that Europe must participate in future talks as an equal party, since its involvement is necessary for a just settlement.