Kiev, 6 February 2026 (dpa/MIA) - The second day of Ukraine-Russia peace talks mediated by the United States in the United Arab Emirates finished on Thursday.

"The UAE will continue its diplomatic and humanitarian efforts to support initiatives aimed at reaching a peaceful settlement to the conflict in Ukraine," the Foreign Ministry said in a statement confirming that the talks had concluded.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said at a press conference in Kiev that negotiations between the two sides would resume soon.

In his daily video message in the evening, Zelensky said that the next round of negotiations on ending the war - nearly in its fifth year - would probably take place in the US.

Ukraine is ready for all formats "that can really bring peace closer and make it reliable and lasting, so that Russia loses the appetite to continue fighting," Zelensky said.

"It is important that this war ends in such a way that Russia does not receive a reward for its aggression."

Major prisoner swap

The day's talks in Abu Dhabi were marked by an agreement on the largest exchange of prisoners in months.

The Russian Defence Ministry confirmed the return of 157 Russian soldiers from Ukrainian captivity, as well as three civilians who had been taken to Ukraine during the brief occupation of parts of the western Russian region of Kursk.

"In return, 157 captured Ukrainian soldiers were handed over," the ministry said.

Ukraine has been defending itself against a Russian invasion since February 2022 with massive Western financial and military help.

Washington has been urging both sides to agree a peace deal, but the main point of contention remains the issue of territory: Russia's territorial demands in eastern Ukraine, and Ukraine's refusal to give away any of its land.

MIA file photo