Ukraine and Russia have conducted a rare exchange of prisoners of war and civilians after two days of US-brokered peace talks in Abu Dhabi. A total of 157 Ukrainians—seven of them civilians—and 157 Russian soldiers were returned home in the first such swap in four months. Russian, Ukrainian, and US teams participated in the talks in the UAE capital. The main sticking points included territorial concessions Ukraine is pressured to make and security guarantees to prevent further Russian attacks if a deal is reached to end the four-year war. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated the talks were challenging and expressed a desire for quicker results. No significant breakthroughs were achieved. Zelensky also highlighted the return of 157 Ukrainians, stating that many had been in captivity since 2022. Meanwhile, the Russian defense ministry confirmed the return of 157 of its POWs and noted that three Russian civilians were also handed back. The discussions were part of ongoing efforts by US President Donald Trump to facilitate peace, with negotiations led by special envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner. However, significant work remains, primarily concerning territorial disputes and security demands from Ukraine's European allies and the US. As talks resumed, Russia intensified its attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis as freezing temperatures leave many without essential services.