The United States, Ukraine, and Russia have agreed to exchange 314 prisoners — the first such breakthrough in five months — following detailed peace talks held in the UAE. But even as negotiations progressed, Russia launched 183 drones and ballistic missiles across Ukraine, highlighting the strange reality of diplomacy happening alongside active combat.

Ukraine has made a dramatic diplomatic move as President Volodymyr Zelenskyy publicly rejects Vladimir Putin’s invitation to Moscow and instead invites the Russian leader to Kyiv for direct talks. At the same time, the Kremlin confirms a temporary pause in strikes on Ukrainian cities following a direct request from President Donald Trump.