Russia and Ukraine have initiated what is anticipated to be the most extensive prisoner exchange since the conflict began, with nearly 800 individuals released on Friday. This exchange commenced on Friday and will extend into the weekend, with plans to swap a total of 2,000 prisoners—1,000 from each country.
The agreement to release these prisoners emerged as a key outcome from a recent meeting between Ukrainian and Russian officials in Istanbul. This marked the first direct engagement between the two sides since Russia’s large-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed his relief on social media, announcing that 390 individuals had safely returned to Ukraine. Meanwhile, the Russian Defence Ministry reported the repatriation of “270 Russian servicemen and 120 civilians.” It is not uncommon for both Ukrainian and Russian authorities to keep such exchanges under wraps until they are concluded.
Notably, US President Donald Trump deviated from the usual protocol by publicly acknowledging the ongoing swap via social media.
The gathering in Istanbul was initially suggested by Russian President Vladimir Putin as a response to pressure from Kyiv’s European allies for either a ceasefire or sanctions against Russia. Observers have interpreted this as a strategic move by the Kremlin to divert attention and buy time. Despite the release of so many prisoners, which will undoubtedly bring joy to their families, it has been perceived as a somewhat inadequate result from the anticipated high-profile negotiations.
Prisoner exchanges have occurred regularly, with the most recent notable one taking place earlier this month, which saw over 200 Ukrainian service members return home. According to Ukraine’s Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War, this latest exchange marks the fifth swap in 2023 and the 64th since the onset of Russia’s invasion.
As of now, 4,757 Ukrainian citizens have been released since March 2022. While Ukraine and its allies had called for Russia to agree to a prompt and unconditional ceasefire during the discussions in Istanbul, this request was not met. Kyiv also proposed that Zelenskyy engage in direct talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, but this did not materialise.
Overall, while the recent development in prisoner exchanges is a significant event, it highlights the ongoing stalemate and the complexities of negotiations between the two nations.