Russian and Ukrainian negotiators announced an exchange of 1000 prisoners. The possibility of a ceasefire and a meeting between Presidents Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelenskyy was another of the topics under discussion this Friday in Istanbul.
For the first time since the spring of 2022, the Russian and Ukrainian delegations met in Istanbul to Direct Peace Negotiations.
From the discussion, the biggest exchange of prisoners of war came out since the beginning of the conflict, on February 24, 2022. Russia and Ukraine woke up 1000 prisoners.
“In the coming days, a massive prisoner change will take place, 1,000 to 1,000,” the Russian negotiator announced at the end of the meeting, at the end of the meeting Vladimir Medinsky.
The information was confirmed by the head of the Ukrainian delegation, the Minister of Defense Rustem umerovaccording to France-Presse (AFP) news agency.
Ukraine asks for a meeting between Zelensky and Putin
Umarov reported that “ Ukrainian part requested direct negotiations among the heads of state ”from both countries, Zweenskyy and putinand that Moscow “took note of this request.”
The Ukrainian leader mentioned “the possibility of a meeting in the level of leaders.”
“The Ukrainian party requested direct negotiations among heads of state. We have taken a note of this proposal,” confirmed Medinsky, who is Putin’s advisor.
Satisfactory conversations
The two parts discussed a ceasefire in Ukraine and should now present and Detail your vision of this truceaccording to Medinsky.
“Once this view is presented, we believe it will be appropriate to continue our negotiations,” added the Russian negotiator in a brief press speech.
Medinsky said he was “globally satisfied with the result” and “Ready to continue contacts” with Ukrainians No future.
“Direct negotiations with the Ukrainian party, organized at the initiative of the Russian President, have just been completed (…). We considered the continuation of negotiations desirable,” he said.
The exchange of prisoners of war is one of the few areas according to Moscow and Kiev.
Kiev and Western allies have been appealing to Russia for weeks for accepting a 30-day unconditional ceasefire in Ukraine.
Moscow has refused such an initiative with the argument that a break in the fighting would allow the Ukrainian army, which has fought in the front line in recent months, rearfing itself thanks to the West.
Russia requires the end of Western arms deliveries to Kiev before agreement on any truce can be reached.
