Trump Hints at Breakthrough as Russia, Ukraine Begin POW Swap/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ A significant prisoner swap between Ukraine and Russia is underway, Ukrainian officials confirmed Friday. The exchange, involving 1,000 prisoners from each side, follows direct talks in Istanbul and could signal rare diplomatic movement in the ongoing war.
Ukraine-Russia Prisoner Swap Underway Amid War Tensions – Quick Looks
- Prisoner Exchange in Progress: Ukraine confirms swap of 1,000 prisoners with Russia
- Diplomatic Context: Follows May 16 peace talks in Turkey
- Trump’s Post: President Trump suggests swap may “lead to something big”
- Russia Silent: Moscow hasn’t officially confirmed the exchange
- Confidence-Building Step: Turkish FM calls swap a gesture to build trust
- No Ceasefire Yet: Russia rejects calls to halt hostilities or freeze arms supplies
- Ukraine’s Stance: Ceasefire and troop withdrawal are key conditions for peace
- Putin’s Demands: Insists Ukraine pull out of annexed territories
- Zelenskyy Warning: Says unrealistic demands signal deliberate prolonging of war
- Next Talks TBD: Kremlin says next round of peace talks remains unscheduled
Deep Look: Ukraine, Russia Engage in Major Prisoner Swap Amid Peace Stalemate
CHERNIHIV REGION, Ukraine — A large-scale exchange of prisoners between Ukraine and Russia began Friday, according to a senior Ukrainian official, marking a rare glimmer of progress in otherwise stalled diplomatic efforts to end the three-year war.
While Moscow has not officially confirmed the exchange, Ukrainian sources say the operation involves 1,000 prisoners from each side. The swap follows a brief but highly anticipated meeting last week in Istanbul, where Russia and Ukraine held their first direct talks in over two years.
The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the exchange is still underway. “It is a significant moment, but we remain cautious until the process is completed,” the official added.
Trump Comments Spark Global Attention
“A major prisoners swap was just completed between Russia and Ukraine… This could lead to something big???”
While Trump did not elaborate, his comments fueled speculation that the swap could be a precursor to broader diplomatic breakthroughs. The White House and National Security Council declined to provide additional details.
Talks in Turkey Yield Small Progress
The prisoner deal emerged after a two-hour meeting in Istanbul on May 16, mediated by Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan. He described the agreement as a “confidence-building measure,” and said both sides agreed in principle to meet again.
However, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Friday there is still no venue or date set for a follow-up round.
Despite this, Turkish officials have expressed optimism that this swap could help defuse tensions and open doors to substantive negotiations.
Ukraine and Western Allies Demand Ceasefire
Ukrainian and Western leaders insist that a temporary ceasefire is a critical first step toward ending hostilities. However, the Kremlin has rejected any truce without additional conditions, including an end to Western military support and halting Ukraine’s mobilization efforts.
President Vladimir Putin has also reiterated a long-standing demand that Ukraine withdraw all troops from four regions Russia claimed to annex in 2022 — Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson — despite not fully controlling those areas.
A senior Ukrainian official told AP that during the Istanbul talks, Russia introduced “unacceptable new demands,” including a proposed withdrawal of Ukrainian forces from vast areas. The official noted these terms had never been discussed previously.
Zelenskyy Responds to Putin’s Terms
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has consistently rejected Russia’s annexation demands and has warned that any refusal to negotiate realistic terms would prove Russia is deliberately prolonging the conflict.
“If Russia continues to block ceasefire proposals and issue unrealistic conditions, it’s clear they aim to escalate the war,” Zelenskyy said in a recent statement. He urged the international community to consider stronger sanctions in response.
Domestic and Regional Pressures Mount
The swap comes amid growing internal pressure on both governments. Ukraine continues to suffer from high casualties and economic strain, while Russia faces mounting international isolation and a costly war effort.
The Iranian-backed “Axis of Resistance,” which previously bolstered Russia’s regional alliances, is crumbling, with losses in Syria and strained ties across the Middle East. Meanwhile, Iran itself is engaged in complex nuclear negotiations with the U.S., further limiting its ability to support Moscow.
As Russia and Ukraine move forward with the prisoner exchange, global eyes remain fixed on whether this humanitarian gesture can open the door to wider negotiations — or whether it will be another isolated event in a brutal, protracted war.
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