Negotiations in Abu Dhabi: Budanov Hopes for New Reciprocal Prisoner Exchanges

Head of the Presidential Office Kyrylo Budanov said that during negotiations in Abu Dhabi the Ukrainian delegation will pay significant attention to the humanitarian track and will try to agree on the next stages of returning Ukrainian prisoners.

Budanov said this while en route to the United Arab Emirates as part of the Ukrainian delegation.

According to him, Ukraine is interested in continuing the diplomatic process and in ending the war as quickly as possible.

“What’s important is that the diplomatic process continues. Ukraine, more than anyone, wants this horrific war to end as soon as possible. I very much hope for a constructive dialogue,” Budanov said.

He named the issue of releases from captivity as one of the main directions of the upcoming talks.

“We plan to devote considerable attention to the humanitarian track. It is necessary to intensify the return of those held in captivity. I expect that the dialogue in the UAE will produce practical results and we will be able to agree on the next stages of bringing our people home,” the head of the Presidential Office said.

Budanov also thanked the United Arab Emirates for facilitating the organization of the talks, and Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff for their participation in the negotiation process.

As a reminder, 10-11 November in Abu Dhabi there will be talks between the delegations of Ukraine, the United States, and Russia. The Ukrainian side will be represented by Head of the Presidential Office Kyrylo Budanov, First Deputy Head of the Presidential Office Serhiy Kyslytsia, Deputy Head of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense Vadym Skibytskyi, and head of the parliamentary faction Servant of the People Davydo Arahamia.

American negotiator and son-in-law of U.S. President Donald Trump, Jared Kushner, said the goal of the trilateral talks is to discuss postwar security issues, proposals, and potential solutions.