Russia and Ukraine Agree to Prisoner Swap in First Direct Talks Since War, but Ceasefire Hopes Stall
- Russia and Ukraine held their first direct peace talks since the 2022 invasion on Friday in Istanbul, agreeing to exchange 1,000 prisoners each.
- The talks followed a request by Ukraine amid ongoing war, but both sides remained divided over the conditions for a ceasefire and peace.
- Negotiations lasted about two hours in Turkey's Dolmabahce Palace, where delegations also discussed modalities of a truce and a potential meeting of leaders.
- Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov said they discussed "all modalities" of a truce, while Kremlin aide Vladimir Medinsky stated each side would detail ceasefire visions.
- The talks produced a large prisoner swap but no ceasefire, signaling continued conflict and the need for further dialogue and international pressure.
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56 Articles
Istanbul - Direct Talks Between Ukraine and Russia Concluded - Prisoner Exchange Agreed
The negotiations between representatives of Ukraine and Russia in Istanbul have been concluded. The Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that the talks between the two delegations had taken about an hour and a half. Ukrainian delegation head Umerov said that both sides had agreed to exchange approximately 1,000 prisoners of war, and that conditions for a ceasefire had been discussed.

Russia and Ukraine agree to prisoner swap in first direct talks since war, but ceasefire hopes stall
The first direct talks between Moscow and Kyiv have ended in a commitment to release 1000 prisoners soon, but no agreement on a temporary truce.
Russia, Ukraine agree on POW exchange after talks
By Chris Summers Contributing Writer Russia and Ukraine held their first direct peace talks since March 2022 in Istanbul on Friday and agreed to exchange 1,000 prisoners of war each. Earlier, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said he did not have “high expectations” about the talks and said there would be no breakthrough on agreeing to a cease-fire unless there was a direct meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vl…
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