Russia and Ukraine Agree to Largest Prisoner Swap of the War

During peace talks in Istanbul on Friday, Russia and Ukraine agreed to swap 1,000 prisoners of war each, marking the largest exchange in the conflict. The talks, mediated by Turkey, were the first direct negotiations between the two countries since the war began.

Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, who led the Ukrainian delegation, announced the agreement reached during the meeting, which also included discussions on a possible cease-fire and a meeting between the presidents of both nations. Russian presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky, head of the Russian delegation, confirmed the agreement to Russian state media.

Before the talks, both Russia and Ukraine maneuvered to show U.S. President Donald Trump their willingness to engage in direct discussions, as Trump has been advocating for an end to the conflict. Russian President Vladimir Putin declined Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s offer for an in-person meeting in Turkey, leading to accusations from Zelensky that Russia sent a delegation of low-ranking officials not genuinely seeking peace.

Despite ongoing challenges, Zelensky has used prisoner swaps as a way to build trust with Russia and assess their intentions since taking office in 2019. The exchanges have remained a crucial diplomatic channel between the warring sides even amid escalations in the conflict.

The recent agreement in Istanbul for the prisoner swap, involving 1,000 detainees from each side, represents the largest exchange in the war to date. However, there are uncertainties about its impact on the broader peace process, as past swaps have occurred during intense fighting periods without significantly advancing peace efforts.