Russia and Ukraine Poised for Major Prisoner Exchange Amid Fragile Peace Efforts

Russia and Ukraine are preparing for what could be the largest prisoner exchange since the full-scale invasion began in 2022, with both sides reportedly agreeing to release 1,000 prisoners of war each.

The agreement was reached during low-level peace talks held in Istanbul last week — the first direct contact between delegations from both countries since March 2022. Though the two-hour meeting failed to yield any progress on a ceasefire, the prisoner swap was seen as a significant, if limited, breakthrough.

Swap Underway But Not Yet Confirmed

Ukrainian military sources confirmed that the exchange process was underway, although no official statement has yet been issued by either Kyiv or Moscow. Unverified reports suggest the operation could unfold over a span of three days at a designated location along the Ukrainian-Belarusian border.

Trump Comments on Exchange

Former U.S. President Donald Trump took to his Truth Social platform, prematurely claiming the exchange was already completed. He called the move “a sign of something big” and hinted that it might lead to further peace initiatives.

Earlier this week, Trump stated that Russia and Ukraine would begin immediate talks towards a ceasefire following a reported two-hour phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin. However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky quickly dismissed the idea, accusing Putin of stalling for time to continue military operations.

Peace Talks Remain Elusive

While Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov confirmed plans for a second round of talks, he reiterated Moscow’s contentious stance on Zelensky’s legitimacy, claiming that Ukraine needs to hold new elections before any peace agreement can be finalized.

Lavrov also dismissed recent suggestions by Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni that the Vatican could act as a neutral mediator, calling it “not a very realistic option.”

“The key task now is to prepare a peace agreement that guarantees long-term and fair peace,” Lavrov stated, stressing the need to ensure Russian security interests are protected.

Outlook

Despite the significant prisoner swap, broader peace remains out of reach. Both sides appear entrenched in their positions, and mistrust continues to hinder negotiations. While the swap offers a rare moment of cooperation, it is far from a guarantee of lasting peace in the region.