Zelenskyy: First Step to Peace Must Start With “All-for-All” Prisoner Exchange

During the International Summit on the Support of Ukraine, held in Kyiv on February 24, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that ending Russia’s invasion must begin with steps that would help restore trust in the process, “because there is no trust in Russia.”

Zelenskyy suggested that a key step could be the release of all Ukrainian prisoners held by Moscow.

“Right now, such a step could be the release of prisoners—thousands of Ukrainians held in Russia. Some have been detained not just since 2022 but since 2014. Russia must release them,” Zelenskyy stated. “Ukraine is ready for an ‘all-for-all’ exchange, and that is a fair option.”

On the morning of February 24, top EU officials arrived in Kyiv to show their solidarity with Ukraine on the 3rd anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion.

On February 23, Zelenskyy announced that leaders from 13 countries would arrive in Kyiv for high-level discussions on Ukraine’s security and strategic priorities, while an additional 24 leaders would join the summit virtually.