US prepares largest Ukraine-Russia prisoner exchange

The United States has begun preparations for the largest prisoner exchange between Ukraine and Russia since the start of the war, according to White House Deputy Press Secretary Anna Kelly. The specific number of prisoners and timing of the exchange have not been disclosed. Special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner have been working with both sides to end the conflict and initiate the potential mass swap. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reported that during peace talks in Abu Dhabi on November 10-11, the parties agreed to release over one thousand people from each side. The last major exchange occurred on October 23, when 261 Ukrainian servicemen and nine civilians were freed, with over half captured in 2022 during the defense of Mariupol.