Turkish FM: Russia, Ukraine agree to 1000-for-1000 prisoner swap in Istanbul

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has provided a detailed update on the outcome of a key meeting between Russian and Ukrainian delegations in Istanbul, where the two sides agreed to a 1000-for-1000 prisoner exchange aimed at building trust.

Fidan shared the key developments from the meeting on X, emphasising the important progress made through diplomatic channels, Caliber.Az reports. 

Bugün, dünya barışı için önemli bir gündü. 
 
Yoğun diplomatik çabalar sonucunda, Rusya ve Ukrayna heyetleri İstanbul’da, Türkiye’nin kolaylaştırıcılığında bir görüşme gerçekleştirdiler.
 
Toplantının neticesinde, güven artırıcı bir önlem olarak her iki ülkeden biner kişinin… pic.twitter.com/7QFnMxjJqE

— Hakan Fidan (@HakanFidan) May 16, 2025

The minister wrote that the day marked a crucial step toward achieving peace. Thanks to intensive diplomatic efforts, the Russian and Ukrainian delegations had met in Istanbul with Türkiye acting as a mediator. 

Fidan added that the two sides reached an agreement on a 1000-for-1000 prisoner exchange designed to build trust. They had also agreed to exchange written conditions that could pave the way for a ceasefire and had reached a preliminary agreement to hold a follow-up meeting. Türkiye would continue to make every possible effort to help achieve lasting peace between Russia and Ukraine.

By Naila Huseynova