Russia and Ukraine agree major prisoner swap in Abu Dhabi talks

Russia and Ukraine have agreed a large prisoner swap following two days of direct talks in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates. U.S. officials reported the deal. The final numbers, meaning how many people will be exchanged, have yet to be confirmed.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy welcomed the first day of talks, on November 10, as a positive one. The negotiations were described as constructive, and the two sides discussed a prisoner swap deal during them.

Europe's role

Politico Europe reports that the United States plans to seek the "blessing" of Russian President Vladimir Putin for Europe to join the talks on Ukraine. This suggests that Europe's place at the negotiating table has not yet been settled.

On November 10, Zelenskyy urged Europe to hurry up and pick its representative for peace talks with Russia. The Ukrainian leader wants to be consulted on Europe's choice of that representative.

The material attached to the article, which carries a headline about Europe failing to find a strong figure to face Putin, gives no further detail on candidates or on how the exchange will be carried out. What is clear is that the negotiation process continues, with humanitarian questions and the dispute over European representation being handled side by side.