Ukraine, Russia Agree to Swap Up to 1,300 POWs, Europe to Join Talks

Ukraine and Russia reached an agreement to exchange between 1,200 and 1,300 prisoners of war following US-mediated talks in Abu Dhabi and Moscow, according to President Volodymyr Zelensky's announcement on Nov. 13. European representatives will now join the negotiations directly at the table, a development that had been a sticking point prior to the UAE sessions.

The Ukrainian leader stated that Ukraine initially proposed an "all-for-all" exchange in Abu Dhabi but subsequent talks in Moscow secured a swap involving over 1,000 personnel from each side. Zelensky emphasized that the primary goal was to conduct the largest prisoner swap in the war's history. The exact number of captives to be released has yet to be finalized.

European inclusion in the negotiations was secured by Zelensky's insistence, with European delegates moving from side-room consultations to the main negotiating table. European participation had been a major point of contention, but it was agreed upon by all parties. The President urged Europeans to finalize their delegation by the end of November, projecting that they will likely be represented by a team of three to five officials.

Zelensky cautioned against prioritizing the development of a new post-war global and European security architecture over ending active hostilities, stating that Ukraine's inclusion in European security is non-negotiable.