, a significant development in the ongoing conflict.){kind=link}
A significant prisoner swap between Ukraine and Russia is reportedly underway, with both countries agreeing to exchange 1,000 prisoners of war each. This development comes after low-level delegations from Ukraine and Russia met in Istanbul for the first time since March 2022, where they discussed potential peace agreements. Although the talks did not yield any progress towards a ceasefire, the prisoner swap agreement marks a crucial step towards reuniting families torn apart by the conflict.
US President Donald Trump claimed on his Truth Social platform that the swap was complete, stating, “this could lead to something big???” However, there has been no official confirmation from either side. Ukrainian military sources have confirmed that the process is underway, but details remain scarce. Unconfirmed reports suggest the exchange might occur over three days across the Ukrainian border with Belarus.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov mentioned that a second round of talks would take place, during which Moscow would present a “memorandum” to the Ukrainian side. Lavrov also stated that Russia would decide on signing a peace agreement after a deal is reached, emphasizing that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky lacks legitimacy. “First, we need to have a deal. And when it’s agreed, then we will decide. But, as President Putin has said many times, President Zelensky does not have legitimacy,” Lavrov said.
Meanwhile, President Trump said that Russia and Ukraine would “immediately” start negotiating towards a ceasefire and an end to the war, following a two-hour phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin. However, Zelensky has accused Trump of “trying to buy time” to continue the war. Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has backed Trump’s suggestion that the Vatican might mediate talks on negotiating a ceasefire, but Lavrov dismissed this idea as “not a very realistic option”.
This potential prisoner swap is one of the largest since the war began, with previous exchanges including a swap of 492 individuals in April, facilitated by the United Arab Emirates. Other notable exchanges include a “100-for-100” formula swap in January and a swap of 190 prisoners in July 2024, also mediated by the UAE.