“Ukraine and Russia agreed on a large exchange of prisoners of war,” said the head of the Ukrainian delegation in an interview with the public broadcaster Suspilne on Friday.
– We were discussing a trade in the 1000 per 1000 formula. We are besides working on another options for this operation – the Minister of Defence of Ukraine, Rust Umierov, said.
He added that the exchange was to take place "in the close future". “We already know its date, but for now we cannot uncover it,” he noted.
Direct talks between Russia and Ukraine. That's all we can figure out.
Since the beginning of the Russian invasion in February 2022 Kiev and Moscow have already carried out many exchanges in which thousands of people have regained their freedom.
According to Umierov, during the Friday talks, the issues of ceasefire and possible direct gathering of Presidents Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelenski were besides raised.
However, there was no breakthrough. Ukrainian officials acquainted with the talks informed the Financial Times that Russia had made "unacceptable" demands, making any ceasefire agreement conditional upon the complete withdrawal of Kiev's forces from the 4 east circuits of Ukraine, which Moscow controls only partially.
On the another hand, head of Turkish diplomacy Hakan Fidan reported that the parties agreed to prepare the written terms of the ceasefire.
Importantly, the leaders of large Britain, France, Germany and Poland besides considered Russia's position during Friday talks with Ukraine to be "unacceptable" – they informed after a telephone conversation with US president Donald Trump.
"Another conversation of our 5 (PL, DE, FR, UA, UK) and a connection with president Trump. The Russians in Istanbul de facto broke up negotiations and refused to break fire. It's time to increase the pressure," Prime Minister Tusk wrote on X.
The war has been going on for over 3 years and there is inactive no sign of a breakthrough. Despite successive rounds of talks and global diplomatic efforts, the conflict remains unresolved and the situation on the front – without major changes. The Russians are stuck on the front in the east of Ukraine.
