Russia & Ukraine Exchange Prisoners Amid Renewed Peace Talks In Istanbul

Russia and Ukraine carried out a new prisoner exchange on Wednesday as delegations from both nations met for their third round of direct peace talks in Istanbul, Turkey.

The latest swap followed agreements reached during their previous meeting on June 2.

Russia & Ukraine Prisoner Exchange Marks Humanitarian Progress

The Russian Defence Ministry confirmed that both countries exchanged prisoners of war through prior negotiations.

The statement revealed that the returned Russian servicemen are now in Belarus and will be transferred to military medical facilities in Russia for treatment and rehabilitation.

Ukraine’s Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War reported that more than 1,000 Ukrainian servicemen have returned home under the terms of the Istanbul agreements.

These agreements cover an ‘all-for-all’ exchange involving seriously ill or wounded soldiers, troops under the age of 25, and the return of fallen soldiers’ bodies.

Ukrainian chief delegate Rustem Umerov said the meeting showed ‘progress on the humanitarian track’, but no movement towards halting hostilities.

He expressed disappointment over the lack of discussion on a broader ceasefire.

His Russian counterpart, Vladimir Medinsky, reiterated that a leaders’ summit should serve to sign agreements, not to restart negotiations. He proposed a series of 24- to 48-hour ceasefires to facilitate the retrieval of bodies from the battlefield.

Ukraine, however, demanded a longer and more immediate ceasefire, citing the urgent need to de-escalate hostilities.

Both sides confirmed ongoing dialogue about additional humanitarian exchanges. Medinsky stated that negotiators agreed to exchange at least 1,200 more prisoners of war from each side, and Russia had also offered to return 3,000 more Ukrainian bodies.

While these steps show humanitarian intent, they contrast with the lack of broader diplomatic progress. The third round of peace talks ended after just 40 minutes, with no substantial breakthrough on ending the conflict.

International Pressure Mounts

Just over a week ago, US President Donald Trump threatened to impose new sanctions on Russia and its trading partners unless they reached a peace deal within 50 days.

Despite this pressure, no tangible steps toward a comprehensive agreement were reported.

As both sides continue limited cooperation on prisoner swaps, the road to a full ceasefire remains uncertain. Further talks and exchanges are expected, but officials remain divided on the path to lasting peace.

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