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1,000-for-1,000 Prisoner Exchange With Russia Could Occur Soon, Says Ukrainian Defense Minister

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Amira Barkhush
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1,000-for-1,000 Prisoner Exchange With Russia Could Occur Soon, Says Ukrainian Defense Minister
Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov speaks during the closing press conference at NATO headquarters on April 11, 2025 in Brussels, Belgium. (Source: Getty Images)

During the negotiations in Istanbul, the Russian and Ukrainian delegations discussed a ceasefire and the exchange of prisoners of war, RBC Ukraine reported on May 16, citing Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov.

“We have directives from the president. Our discussions focused on the ceasefire and prisoner exchange,” the head of the Ukrainian delegation told the outlet.

Umerov added that a prisoner swap in a “1,000 for 1,000” format could take place soon. “We know the date, but we will not disclose it at this time,” he said.

Vladimir Medinsky, head of the Russian delegation, confirmed the exchange in a post-meeting statement, saying it will take place in the coming days.

Peace talks between the Russian and Ukrainian delegations ended after just two hours, Reuters reported.

The talks collapsed following Russia’s demand for the complete withdrawal of Ukrainian forces from all territories claimed by the Kremlin, including Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia regions, as a precondition for any ceasefire agreement.

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