Remarkable development in Russia-Ukraine negotiations: 'We reached a common understanding on some issues'

Two-day peace talks held in Abu Dhabi between the delegations of Russia, Ukraine and the USA have ended.

Vladimir Medinskiy, who headed the Russian delegation, said in a statement to Russian state television that progress was made on some issues during the talks, but fundamental disagreements continued.

Medinskiy announced that the parties will continue negotiations.

Medinskiy said that one of the main agenda items of the talks was Europe's future security architecture.

Stating that the Russian and US delegations exchanged views on this issue, Medinskiy said:

"We shared our views with the American side. We reached a common understanding on some issues, but we could not reach a common understanding on some issues. These talks will of course continue."

Arguing that Europe's current security system should be reconsidered, Medinskiy said, "The world needs a modern, updated and fair security system. This system should not be to the detriment of any country."

HE WAS DISTANT TO EUROPE'S PARTICIPATION IN THE NEGOTIATIONS

The Russian chief negotiator made critical statements about the inclusion of European countries in future peace talks.

Arguing that they did not receive a concrete peace proposal from the European Union countries, Medinskiy said that it was unclear what issues Moscow could discuss with European representatives.

Medinskiy said, "We have not received a single peace initiative or concrete peace proposal from European countries. Therefore, it is not clear what we will discuss with them."

Stating that if European countries offer concrete suggestions, they can evaluate them, Medinskiy argued that European officials should take an example from the approach of US representatives.

"It would be useful for them to learn from American representatives about common sense, realism and the desire to achieve peace," Medinskiy said.

POWER EXCHANGE AGREEMENT BETWEEN RUSSIA AND UKRAINE

Medinskiy announced that humanitarian issues were also discussed during the talks and that Russia and Ukraine reached an agreement in principle on a comprehensive prisoner exchange.

The Russian official said that the details of the prisoner exchange would be shared with the public soon, but did not provide information on how many people would be included in the exchange.

Prisoner exchanges have been made between the parties at different periods since the start of the war.

The new agreement reached during the talks in Abu Dhabi is considered to be important for the continuation of humanitarian contacts between the parties.

HOW WILL THE PROCESS PROCEED IN THE PEACE TALKS?

Topics such as Europe's future security arrangements, security guarantees that can be provided to Ukraine and prisoner exchanges were discussed during the negotiations in Abu Dhabi.

Special representatives of the United States, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, also attended the talks.

While the Ukrainian side argues that European countries should take part in the peace process, Russia prefers to preserve the current tripartite negotiation format.

Although the parties announced that progress has been made on some issues, a comprehensive agreement to end the war has not yet been reached.

Negotiations are expected to continue with new rounds.