The second round of U.S.-mediated talks between Russia and Ukraine wrapped up in Abu Dhabi this week with a rare moment of progress: a 157-for-157 prisoner exchange. While the swap brought relief to families, negotiators hit roadblocks on core issues like territorial disputes and ceasefire terms. 🕊️
What Happened in Abu Dhabi?
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called the talks "not easy," emphasizing Kyiv’s push for a "dignified and lasting peace." Meanwhile, Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov accused European nations of obstructing negotiations, calling their security proposals "absurd." 🤯
The Human Cost
The prisoner exchange—the first in five months—included both soldiers and civilians. Zelenskyy hailed it as a "step toward humanity," but stressed that faster progress is needed to end the conflict, now entering its sixth year. 💔
What’s Next?
With no joint statement on political or security terms, both sides agreed to continue talks "in the coming weeks," possibly in the U.S. The UAE, praised as a neutral mediator, emphasized its commitment to easing tensions. 🤝
As global eyes turn to the next round, one question lingers: Can diplomacy outpace the battlefield? 🌐⚖️
