Budanov hopes Abu Dhabi talks will bring new prisoner exchanges
Kyrylo Budanov, head of Ukraine's Presidential Office, hopes the trilateral talks with the US and Russia in Abu Dhabi on 10–11 November will produce practical results on prisoner swaps. Kyiv plans to focus on the humanitarian track.
Kyrylo Budanov, head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, has said he expects the upcoming trilateral talks in Abu Dhabi, capital of the United Arab Emirates, to lead to new exchanges of prisoners of war. Ukraine, the United States and Russia are due to meet on 10 and 11 November as part of the peace talks aimed at ending Russia's war against Ukraine.
In a Telegram post, Budanov said he very much hoped for a constructive dialogue. According to him, Ukraine intends to concentrate on the humanitarian component, and prisoner exchanges need to be stepped up. He expressed hope that the discussions in the UAE would deliver practical results and allow the sides to agree on the next stages of bringing Ukrainians home.
Who will take part
Ukraine's delegation will include Rustem Umierov, head of the Foreign Intelligence Service; Davyd Arakhamiia, leader of the ruling Servant of the People party's parliamentary faction; Serhii Kyslytsia, First Deputy Head of the President's Office; Vadym Skibitskyi, Deputy Head of Defence Intelligence of Ukraine; and Budanov himself.
The talks will also be attended by representatives of the European Commission, the European Council, Germany, France and the United Kingdom at security adviser level, as well as the chief of staff of the NATO secretary general. Before the trilateral session, US special envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff will meet the European representatives.
Hopes for the second round
Ukraine does not expect a breakthrough in the first round of talks, but expectations are higher for the second round.
