Kyiv, Moscow set for massive prisoner swap following Istanbul talks

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has announced a high-level meeting on the preparation of a large-scale prisoner exchange with Russia, following recent negotiations in Istanbul.

The proposed exchange, which involves the release of 1,000 Ukrainian captives in return for 1,000 Russian prisoners, is seen as one of the most tangible outcomes of the Turkish-brokered talks, Caliber.Az reports via Ukrainian media.

“I held a meeting on the preparation of the exchange. The agreement to release 1,000 of our people from Russian captivity was perhaps the only real result of the meeting in Türkiye. We are working to ensure that this result is secured. There were reports on contacts with the Russians,” Zelenskyy wrote on social media.

The Ukrainian President confirmed that Defence Minister Rustem Umerov is overseeing the operational implementation of the agreement. “The DIU, SSU, FIS, Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Verkhovna Rada Commissioner for Human Rights and the Office team are involved. We are clarifying the details for each person submitted in the lists from the Russian side," Zelenskyy added.

The exchange is part of Ukraine’s ongoing efforts to secure the return of all citizens held in Russian captivity, a mission that Zelenskyy underscored as a national priority. “This is one of Ukraine's key tasks – to return all our people from Russian captivity. Thank you to everyone who helps,” the President emphasized.

By Vafa Guliyeva