WASHINGTON D.C February 5, 2026 – — In a significant humanitarian development amid efforts to resolve the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, delegations from the United States, Ukraine, and Russia have agreed to a major prisoner exchange involving 314 individuals. This marks the first such swap in five months.
The agreement emerged from what U.S. officials described as detailed and productive peace negotiations. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, representing the Office of U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Peace Missions, announced the breakthrough on February 5, 2026, emphasizing that sustained diplomatic engagement is beginning to yield concrete results.
“While significant work remains, steps like this demonstrate that sustained diplomatic engagement is delivering tangible results and advancing efforts to end the war in Ukraine,” Witkoff stated in a post on X. He added that discussions would continue, with further progress expected in the coming weeks.
The talks were hosted by the United Arab Emirates, which has positioned itself as a neutral mediator in various international conflicts. Witkoff specifically thanked the UAE for facilitating the discussions and credited President Donald J. Trump for his leadership in enabling the agreement.
The exchange represents a rare point of cooperation between the involved parties since high-level negotiations resumed under the current U.S. administration. Previous attempts at large-scale prisoner swaps had stalled for several months, making today’s development a cautiously welcomed sign of momentum in the broader peace process.
Analysts note that humanitarian gestures of this kind often serve as confidence-building measures during difficult diplomatic efforts, though core political and territorial issues remain unresolved.
No immediate details were released regarding the identities of the exchanged prisoners, their conditions, or the exact logistics of the transfer. Further updates are anticipated as negotiations progress.
This development comes at a time when international attention continues to focus on finding a pathway to lasting peace in Ukraine following years of conflict.
*Source: Official statement from Special Envoy Steve Witkoff via X (@SEPeaceMissions), February 5, 2026.*
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