US EditionRussia and Ukraine Agree to Large-Scale Prisoner Swap, Core Disputes Remain Unresolved
- On May 16, 2025, Russian and Ukrainian delegations met in Istanbul for direct peace talks lasting less than two hours.
- The talks followed Moscow's 2022 invasion and intense pressure from the US and European allies to pursue diplomacy despite deep disputes.
- The sides agreed to exchange 1,000 prisoners each and discuss ceasefire proposals and a possible presidential meeting but differed on territorial demands.
- A senior Ukrainian official called Russia's new demand for Ukraine to withdraw from large territories "unacceptable demands," which stalled broader progress.
- The partial agreement indicates some movement but reflects persistent gaps, suggesting peace remains uncertain without a ceasefire and further talks.
423 Articles
423 Articles
Russia-Ukraine peace talks end with a deal to swap POWs but no cease-fire
ISTANBUL, Turkey — The first direct Russia-Ukraine peace talks since the early weeks of Moscow’s 2022 invasion ended after less than two hours Friday, and while both sides agreed on a large prisoner swap, they clearly remained far apart on key conditions for ending the fighting.
Russia, Ukraine Agree to Prisoner Swap
Russia and Ukraine have agreed to each swap 1,000 prisoners. The decision was reached during peace talks that lasted less than two hours. A senior Ukrainian official claimed Russia made “unacceptable demands” to withdraw Ukrainian soldiers from key areas, the Associated Press reported. The official noted that Ukraine’s priorities included an immediate ceasefire and a pathway to diplomacy, which is “just like the U.S., European partners, and othe…
Russia and Ukraine hold first direct talks in 3 years, agree on prisoner swap, but no truce
In their first direct talks in over three years, Russia and Ukraine on Friday agreed on a large-scale prisoner exchange, said would continue talking on a potential ceasefire and discussed a meeting between Zelenskyy and Putin
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