Russia, Ukraine agree on large-scale prisoner swap as some progress made in Abu Dhabi, Russian negotiators say
Russia’s chief negotiator at Ukraine peace talks in Abu Dhabi Vladimir Medinsky said after their conclusion that mutual understanding had been achieved on some issues and that more talks would be held.
Medinsky, in remarks broadcast on Russian state television, said that Russia and Ukraine had agreed on a large-scale prisoner swap, the latest in a long line of such exchanges.
He was cool however on the prospect of European countries joining the talks and said it was unclear what there was for Russia and the European Union to discuss, given what he said was a lack of proposals from the European side, Reuters reported.
Key events
Closing summary
No possibility for territorial exchanges between Russia and Ukraine, says Moscow’s chief negotiator
Russia responds to Streeting’s call for military dialogue
Russia and Ukraine moving closer to peace, says Moscow negotiator
Thousands take part in Independence March in Poland
Bulgaria holds national day of mourning after 11 dead, 51 injured in major motorway crash
Millions join Spain’s first general strike in 14 years in protest at rising housing costs
Portugal closes schools, non-essential public services as it braces for Storm Charles
Merz-Putin talks may follow Ukraine negotiations in Abu Dhabi, Berlin says
Europe ‘must be represented’ at any Ukraine talks, Zelenskyy insists
Nato countries could sign ‘mutual non-aggression pacts’ with Russia, Moscow diplomat suggests
G7 looks to address Ukraine’s ‘pressing financing needs’
School bomb alerts pose no real danger, Italy’s Meloni says
Russians want more progress before Putin-Zelenskyy meeting, Kushner says
US pushing for Europe to be involved in Ukraine war talks with Russia, Kushner says
US negotiators to meet Putin in Moscow, Zelenskyy in Dublin next
Russia, Ukraine agree on large-scale prisoner swap as some progress made in Abu Dhabi, Russian negotiators say
Ukraine’s Zelenskyy about to address the Danish parliament
There are few illussions that an immediate breakthrough is possible – snap analysis
Russia arrests two ‘agents’ of Polish intelligence in Kaliningrad
No plans for Russia-EU talks on sidelines of main Abu Dhabi talks, Kremlin says
Ukraine wants Russia to stop war before discussing broader security issues
Second day of talks on Ukraine get under way
Morning opening: Zelenskyy ‘happy’ with US envoys’ approach during Russia talks as day two to begin
Closing summary
Jakub Krupa
And, on that note, we will be closing the blog for today.
US peace envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner will travel to meet Russia’s Vladimir Putin in Moscow and Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Dublin on Thursday as they hope to progress some issues discussed during trilateral peace talks in Abu Dhabi today (12:44).
The three sides have agreed on a large-scale prisoner swap and made some technical progress in their talks (12:30), but US envoys conceded there is “no trust between the sides.”
The US also appears to be pushing for Europe to be formally included in the process, with Kushner saying he would seek Putin’s “blessing” for such a move tomorrow (12:51).
Ukraine’s president Zelenskyy insisted that Europe “must be represented” at the talks (14:28), a point he also made in a speech to the Danish parliament earlier today (12:23).
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No possibility for territorial exchanges between Russia and Ukraine, says Moscow’s chief negotiator
In further comments to Russia’s Vesti news, Medinsky said there is no prospect of territorial exchanges between Russia and Ukraine as part of a peace deal.
“The topic of possible territorial exchanges is periodically raised from various sides,” Medinsky said.
“After Ukraine’s invasion of the Kursk region, a decision was made – the president has spoken about this repeatedly – to create a security zone along the border with Russia. This zone is now quite substantial, it is expanding, and will continue to expand. I see no possibility of exchanging these territories.”
He was referring to Ukraine’s incursion into Russia’s Kursk region in August 2024, when Ukrainian forces crossed the border and seized territory in one of the most significant cross-border operations of the war. Zelenskyy said at the time that the operation was aimed at creating a buffer zone to protect communities in Ukraine’s neighbouring Sumy region from Russian attacks. The incursion was also widely seen as potentially giving Kyiv leverage in future negotiations.
Russia responds to Streeting’s call for military dialogue
Maria Zakharova, a spokesperson for the Russian foreign ministry, has a message for the UK defence secretary Wes Streeting – call us and let’s talk.
That’s according to a Reuters report of a Russian foreign ministry briefing today. Zakharova was responding to Streeting’s comments in an interview with the Financial Times, in which he called for additional channels of communication between the two countries, particularly direct military-to-military contact, to avoid “miscalculation”.
“I can confidently recommend that the British defence secretary contact the Russian ministry of defence. They’ll pick up the phone and have a conversation,” Zakharova said.
Russia and Ukraine moving closer to peace, says Moscow negotiator
Vladimir Medinsky, head of the Russian delegation participating in peace talks with the US and Ukraine in Abu Dhabi, has again signalled cautious optimism over the prospects of reaching an agreement to end the war.
Speaking to the Russian news outlet Vesti, he was asked whether the countries were any closer to achieving peace. He replied:
I think so. Much depends on Ukraine, the position of the United States, and whether Europe comes to its senses. In any case, all the goals we set will be achieved.”
We reported earlier (see post at 11.30am) that Medinsky had said the discussions resulted in mutual understanding on several issues, with both sides agreeing to hold further talks and carry out a large-scale prisoner exchange.
Thousands take part in Independence March in Poland
Thousands of people are marching through Warsaw to mark the 108th anniversary of Poland regaining independence in 1918.
The annual march which brings together thousands of Poles remains deeply divisive, given some violent clashes in the past and the attendance of nationalist and far-right groups from Poland and abroad.
But despite regular criticism, the march has in recent years become increasingly mainstream, taking the role of the largest mass independence day celebration in the country and attracting more conservative Poles to take part.
Poland’s conservative president Karol Nawrocki was seen walking in today’s procession, which organisers hoped would attract up to 500,000 people.
By mid-afternoon, no major incidents had been reported, other than the widespread use of red flares along the route of the march, Poland’s state broadcaster TVP Info reported.
As Reuters noted, organisers argued that the gathering, held under the motto “A Pole is the host in Poland,” is their way of expressing national pride.
“We want a sovereign Poland, independent of foreign capitals … We also envision a Poland that is as monoethnic as possible,” a spokesperson for the march organisers Rafał Buca said.
Poland’s centrist prime minister Donald Tusk – a regular target of chants, banners and often abusive taunts at the march – stayed clear of the event, attending a smaller celebration in Szczecin instead.
“I address everyone, including those who will be gathering in Warsaw. We may hold different views, we may keep each other in check, and at times we may even be political opponents; yet, anyone who truly cares about Poland must understand that this space, defined by independence, freedom, and a secure Republic, is a common good,” he said.
The march comes less than a year before the 2027 parliamentary election, which will see the current centrist government, led by Donald Tusk, face a group of conservative, nationalist and libertarian right parties in what is likely to be a polarising, bruising contest.
Opposition leader and former prime minister Jarosław Kaczyński told Onet that he hoped to maintain the unity of right-wing forces ahead of the election, despite the fact that “even today, during this march, there are some unpleasant elements.”
Bulgaria holds national day of mourning after 11 dead, 51 injured in major motorway crash
Bulgaria is marking a day of national mourning today after eleven people died and more than 50 were injured in a mass pileup in thick fog on a motorway in southeastern Bulgaria, AFP reported.
Crashes snared around 50 cars and trucks heading in both directions of the highway linking the capital Sofia to the Black Sea city of Burgas, regional governor Georgi Chalakov told the BTA state news agency.
The incident took place in thick fog, drastically reducing visibility for drivers.
Bulgaria saw 71 road fatalities per million inhabitants in 2025, the highest rate in the European Union, according to European Commission figures.
Millions join Spain’s first general strike in 14 years in protest at rising housing costs
Ashifa Kassam in Madrid and Stephen Burgen in Barcelona
In neighbouring Spain, millions of people across the country have joined the country’s first general strike in 14 years, setting up picket lines to protest against soaring housing prices before an election in which the far right could be catapulted into power.
At the centre of Wednesday’s nationwide 24-hour stoppage, singularly backed by the country’s largest unions as well as tenants’ associations, is a pushback against Spain’s deepening housing crisis.
Sandra Mora, of the Madrid Tenants’ Union, told the broadcaster RNE:
“It’s extremely important to remind people that we, the workers – who are also renters or who also pay mortgages – are the ones with the power to halt production and bring the economy to a standstill.”
While workers’ unions reported high participation in the strike across several sectors, including 90% in the automotive and port sectors and 82% in waste collection, they said participation was uneven across the country.
The strongest support was reported in coastal regions, such as Catalonia and Andalusia, where the soaring cost of housing has been particularly acute.
Portugal closes schools, non-essential public services as it braces for Storm Charles
Portugal closed all schools and shuttered non-essential public services on Wednesday as a major Atlantic storm headed for the country’s mainland, Associated Press reported.
The government told people to stay at home as heavy rain and rough seas were expected to batter the Portuguese coast, with wind gusts of up to 140 kph (85 mph).
It was the first time in living memory that Portugal’s roughly 8,000 schools had canceled classes nationwide over a storm forecast, the AP said. An international technology conference in Lisbon attended by around 70,000 people called off the day’s events.
Airlines cancelled more than 200 flights in and out of Portugal, Reuters reported.
The brunt of Storm Charles was expected to hit the Atlantic coast on Wednesday afternoon and evening, coming from the southwest after it had struck the island of Madeira on Tuesday with 130 kph (81 mph) winds.
Jakub Krupa
Let’s quickly bring you up to date on other big stories across Europe.
Merz-Putin talks may follow Ukraine negotiations in Abu Dhabi, Berlin says
Talks between chancellor Friedrich Merz and Russian president Vladimir Putin could “ensue” after a broad understanding on future negotiations on Ukraine was reached in Abu Dhabi, a German government spokesperson said in comments reported by Reuters.
Asked whether Merz was ready to speak with Putin, the spokesperson said at a regular press conference:
“We have now reached an understanding in Abu Dhabi on the broad outlines. This understanding is now shared with the Russian president. And on that basis, talks may ensue.“
Russian, Ukrainian and US officials held two-day talks in Abu Dhabi aimed at exploring possible steps towards a settlement of the conflict in Ukraine.
The German spokesperson confirmed that the understanding in Abu Dhabi was reached between European, US and Ukrainian officials, not with Russia, adding that these principles will influence fresh talks.
Europe ‘must be represented’ at any Ukraine talks, Zelenskyy insists
Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy also picked up on calls to include Europe in any future peace talks (12:44), saying “Europe must be represented at every stage of real diplomacy.”
In a post on X after getting a briefing on the Abu Dhabi talks, he said:
“First, there is an important humanitarian arrangement regarding preparations for a new exchange.
Second, the parties discussed their views on guaranteeing security, and it is necessary that the first step be ending this war and providing security guarantees for Ukraine.
Third, broader formats for further work involving the Europeans were discussed.
Next, the American representatives are heading to Russia, and after those talks, we will coordinate our positions once again and determine what next steps are possible. We are meeting with them tomorrow in Dublin.
Ukraine’s priority is to end the war as soon as possible with a dignified peace. We believe that Europe must be represented at every stage of real diplomacy.
It is essential that the United States have a strong position and exert influence on the source of this war – that is Russia – so that Russia ends the war of its own making.”
Nato countries could sign ‘mutual non-aggression pacts’ with Russia, Moscow diplomat suggests
Meanwhile, a senior Russian diplomat outlined a series of proposals that could form a part of any future security guarantees for Russia, Reuters reported.
Speaking at a security conference in Moscow, Alexey Drobinin set out three scenarios.
The first option was that of a collective defensive alliance or of bilateral mutual assistance agreements like those Russia has with Belarus and North Korea.
The second possibility he cited included political agreements not to help each other’s adversaries in the event of aggression, like the pact Moscow has with Iran.
And the third option he presented were bilateral mutual non-aggression pacts.
“For example, agreements of this kind could be reached, among other things, with individual Nato member states, which would then receive, for instance, additional individual security guarantees from the Russian Federation,” Drobinin told the conference, according to video of his speech posted online.
G7 looks to address Ukraine’s ‘pressing financing needs’
The G7 top diplomats stressed the need to secure long-term financial aid for Ukraine, as Kyiv’s allies sought ways to cover its budget beyond 2026, AFP reported.
“We acknowledged the need to address Ukraine’s pressing financing needs for 2027 and beyond in a coordinated way,” said a joint statement issued by foreign ministers of Canada, Germany, France, Italy, Japan, the UK and United States, following a meeting held Monday and Tuesday in Paris.
“We reiterated that negotiations on the future security in Europe must include the Europeans,” it added, as US-mediated talks between Russia and Ukraine took place in Abu Dhabi.
School bomb alerts pose no real danger, Italy’s Meloni says
Meanwhile, just a quick update on Italy: the country’s prime minister Giorgia Meloni said the email bomb alerts sent to school (11:36) pose no danger, but police and other public bodies were monitoring the situation.
“These reports appear to be part of a strategy intended to cause alarm and concern – a matter that is currently under thorough investigation,” she said.
Meloni will chair a meeting on the situation later today to assess what may need to be done after “hundreds” of schools saw their plans for today disrupted by the alarm.
A large number of schools in Northern Ireland were also sent a threatening email, the Northern Ireland Education Authority said, via Reuters, but have been advised to stay open as the authority said police did not regard it as a credible threat.
Russians want more progress before Putin-Zelenskyy meeting, Kushner says
Kushner also said he thought “it would be great” for Zelenskyy and Putin to meet in person to hold further talks, but acknowledged “the Russians have said they would like to see more progress made before that happens.”
“Clearly, there’s not great trust or love between the leaders, so I think that if we can find a pathway to arrange…I will say this, … these deals do take time.”
US pushing for Europe to be involved in Ukraine war talks with Russia, Kushner says
Kushner also acknowledged that there is “no trust between the sides and that’s to be expected after a conflict like this,” but he hoped he could make progress on that.
He said it is important to have Europe at the table for any discussions on Ukraine and postwar security as “it’s a discussion where they have to be involved,” and pointedly praised his engagement with top Europeans so far.
He said he hoped Putin would “give his blessing” to expanding the format during their meeting in Moscow.
US negotiators to meet Putin in Moscow, Zelenskyy in Dublin next
Speaking after today’s talks, US negotiator (and Donald Trump’s son-in-law) Jared Kushner described the discussions as “very substantive,” even if “pretty tough … after almost eight months of not being together.”
He said he and peace envoy Steve Witkoff would meet Putin in Moscow on Thursday to “go over what was discussed today and try to make progress on some of the issues that we discussed.”
Afterwards, they will fly to Dublin to meet with Ukraine’s Zelenskyy “to debrief with him and further explore some of the ideas that we came up with today,” he said.
Zelenskyy will be in Dublin at the European Political Community summit, alongside other EU leaders.
Kushner said he also hoped to “finalise the humanitarian relief” and “the biggest humanitarian release of prisoners” during tomorrow’s meeting with Putin.
He said the US was also working to “try and see if we can get the Europeans added to the format so that we can make this a multilateral format,” praising already existing discussions with European partners, including the EU, Nato, France, Germany, Italy, and the UK.
Kushner said the key issues revolve around “postwar security” and “security guarantees,” as well as “deconfliction” and monitoring any future ceasefire.
But he acknowledged that “the territorial issues … will be the hardest.”
Meanwhile, David Arakhamia, a close ally of president Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the head of his faction in parliament, said he hoped to keep up “good momentum” in the talks with a view of reaching a solution by the end of the year.
Russia, Ukraine agree on large-scale prisoner swap as some progress made in Abu Dhabi, Russian negotiators say
Russia’s chief negotiator at Ukraine peace talks in Abu Dhabi Vladimir Medinsky said after their conclusion that mutual understanding had been achieved on some issues and that more talks would be held.
Medinsky, in remarks broadcast on Russian state television, said that Russia and Ukraine had agreed on a large-scale prisoner swap, the latest in a long line of such exchanges.
He was cool however on the prospect of European countries joining the talks and said it was unclear what there was for Russia and the European Union to discuss, given what he said was a lack of proposals from the European side, Reuters reported.
Source: www.theguardian.com
