US-mediated Russia-Ukraine talks in Abu Dhabi focus on prisoner swaps

Russia and Ukraine held their first U.S.-mediated talks in nine months on Tuesday in Abu Dhabi, with both sides calling the nearly four-hour session constructive, though no breakthrough was reported. The talks focused on humanitarian issues, including prisoner exchanges and returning Ukrainian civilians and children, with a senior Ukrainian official saying a large-scale swap was discussed. U.S. envoy Jared Kushner said the goal was to create a new framework for peace, while Secretary of State Marco Rubio urged patience, noting much work remains. The meeting comes amid deadlocked front lines and continued long-range strikes, with Russia launching 162 drones and Ukraine downing 155 overnight. Key demands remain unresolved, as Moscow insists on territorial concessions and Kyiv rejects limits on its military, while a broader European security deal is reportedly in the works.