Russia and Ukraine have reached a landmark agreement to exchange 1,000 prisoners of war each, marking the largest swap since the outbreak of the war in 2022, according to Russian delegation head Vladimir Medinsky. The announcement came after a round of peace negotiations held today in Istanbul.
Medinsky confirmed that both sides also agreed to submit detailed ceasefire proposals, signaling a potential shift toward de-escalation.
Ukraine has formally requested a direct meeting between Presidents Volodymyr Zelensky and Vladimir Putin, which Moscow is now considering. Medinsky added that Russia remains open to continuing diplomatic talks.
However, tensions persist. Ukrainian officials accused the Kremlin of introducing new, unacceptable demands, including the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from vast swaths of territory—terms not previously discussed in negotiations.
Despite these hurdles, Kyiv emphasized its commitment to achieving a genuine ceasefire and a diplomatic path forward, aligning with proposals supported by the U.S., EU, and other international partners.
