ISLAMABAD: Russia and Ukraine initiated the first stage of a significant prisoner exchange on Monday, part of an agreement reached during recent peace talks in Istanbul.
This exchange is the only concrete progress made as efforts to end the three-year conflict remain stalled.
Both countries agreed to swap captured soldiers and repatriate the bodies of those killed in the fighting, although exact numbers were not disclosed.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky shared images of returning soldiers wrapped in Ukrainian flags, describing the exchange as ongoing and occurring in several stages over the coming days.
Details of the Exchange Agreement
The swap focuses on freeing wounded soldiers, those severely injured, and prisoners under the age of 25.
Russia’s defense ministry confirmed the exchange was based on the June 2 Istanbul agreement.
Initially planned to include over 1,000 prisoners, the exchange almost fell through amid accusations from both sides about delays and violations.
Zelensky accused Russia of playing a “dirty, political game” by not honoring the full terms, while Russia claimed Ukraine refused to repatriate the bodies of more than 1,200 deceased soldiers stored near the border.
Peace Talks and Continued Fighting
Russia’s 2022 invasion has resulted in Europe’s largest conflict since World War II, displacing millions and devastating eastern and southern Ukraine.
Despite US President Donald Trump’s involvement encouraging direct negotiations, the two sides remain deeply divided on major issues such as territorial control and military aid.
At the Istanbul talks, Russia demanded Ukraine recognize its annexation of several regions and cease Western military support.
Kyiv insists on a full ceasefire and a high-level summit to resolve the crisis.
Zelensky recently called further talks “pointless” with the current Russian delegation due to their refusal to agree to a ceasefire.
Meanwhile, military clashes intensify, including a reported Russian advance into Ukraine’s Dnipropetrovsk region and record drone attacks on Ukrainian targets.
