Overview
- U.S. envoy Steven Uitkoff said Russia, Ukraine and the United States agreed to exchange 314 detainees, the first such swap in five months.
- Russia’s defense ministry reported a 157‑for‑157 exchange was carried out and said three civilians from Kursk also returned, with the UAE and the U.S. facilitating.
- Delegations held closed‑door discussions on implementing a ceasefire and monitoring mechanisms, and they will report back to capitals to continue talks in the coming weeks.
- Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Moscow’s offer to observe New START limits for one more year received no U.S. response, and the treaty formally lapsed on February 5.
- Peskov said Russia will act responsibly on nuclear stewardship even as it develops next‑generation strategic systems, and former NATO official Rose Gottemoeller characterized Washington’s non‑response as a diplomatic boost for Vladimir Putin.