Russia, Ukraine Agree on Major Prisoner Swap Amid Stalemate in Istanbul Peace Talks
In a rare moment of agreement during a war fraught with bloodshed and deadlock, Russia and Ukraine struck a significant deal on Monday to exchange prisoners of war and return the remains of approximately 6,000 fallen soldiers, reported by Al Jazeera News. The talks, held at Istanbul’s historic Ciragan Palace, brought a glimmer of humanitarian progress, even as peace negotiations remained stalled.
Ukrainian Defence Minister and chief negotiator Rustem Umerov announced that both sides had agreed to exchange “all seriously wounded and seriously ill prisoners” and all captured fighters aged 18 to 25. Russia’s lead negotiator, Vladimir Medinsky, confirmed the exchange would involve at least 1,000 prisoners per side — building on a similar deal struck last month.
Despite this progress, efforts toward a broader ceasefire faltered. Ukraine proposed a 30-day truce, but Moscow refused to endorse an unconditional ceasefire. Instead, Russia offered a limited pause in fighting in specific frontline areas to recover bodies.
Ukraine also submitted a list of children it alleges were abducted by Russia, demanding their return. Meanwhile, Russia presented a ceasefire memorandum with sweeping terms, including Ukraine’s withdrawal from annexed territories, halting mobilization, ending foreign military presence, and abandoning its NATO ambitions. Kyiv and its Western allies have previously rejected such conditions.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan praised the prisoner swap and reiterated his hope of eventually hosting a summit between Presidents Putin and Zelenskyy. Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said the world was watching closely, though no ceasefire breakthrough was announced.
As talks stalled, Ukraine ramped up military operations deep inside Russia, claiming it damaged or destroyed over 40 warplanes in a drone attack spanning three regions. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy hailed the operation as historic, saying it would increase pressure on Moscow to return to negotiations.
Meanwhile, Russian drone strikes on southern Ukraine killed eight and injured over two dozen civilians. Zelenskyy warned that if diplomacy continues to falter, tougher sanctions on Russia must follow.
“This war must not be endless,” he said from Lithuania. “Peace begins with accountability.”
