MoD on 1,000-for-1,000 prisoner exchange: Step-by-step plan has already been agreed upon
Photo: Ukraine’s Minister of Defense Rustem Umerov (Getty Images)
A step-by-step plan for implementing the agreement on a prisoner exchange with Russia in the 1000 for 1000 format has already been agreed upon. It takes into account security, humanitarian, and logistical aspects, according to a Facebook post by Ukraine’s Minister of Defense Rustem Umerov.
"Today, during the briefing to the President of Ukraine, I provided detailed information about the results of the negotiations in Türkiye and the next steps. Despite the complexity and sensitivity of the dialogue in Istanbul, the Ukrainian delegation carried out its work within the framework and in strict accordance with the directives defined by the President," Umerov said.
He noted that the key outcome of the negotiations is a preliminary agreement on a prisoner exchange in the 1000 for 1000 format. According to the minister, this is an important exchange that requires coordinated actions from all responsible state institutions.
That is why, on the instructions of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, a meeting of the Coordination Headquarters on Prisoners of War was held yesterday. All key institutions were involved in the work: the Ministry of Defense, the Defense Intelligence, the Security Service of Ukraine, the Foreign Intelligence Service, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and the Office of the Ombudsman for Human Rights.
"A step-by-step plan for the implementation of the agreement has been approved — taking into account security, humanitarian, and logistical aspects, as well as the tasks for the coming days. Our goal remains unchanged — to bring everyone home," Umerov stated.
Prisoner exchange 1000 for 1000
On May 16, negotiations between the delegations of Ukraine and Russia took place in Istanbul. The parties discussed issues related to ending the war in Ukraine for over an hour.
After the meeting, Ukraine’s Minister of Defense Rustem Umerov said that the parties agreed on a prisoner exchange under the 1000 for 1000 formula. This was soon confirmed by the Russian side as well.
Later, Vadym Skibitskyi, a representative of the Defense Intelligence of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, stated that Ukraine has already begun working on the lists of individuals who will be returned home.
Meanwhile, the head of the Defense Intelligence, Kyrylo Budanov, expressed hope for a large-scale prisoner exchange between Ukraine and Russia as soon as next week.
It was also reported recently that the Security Service of Ukraine (SSU) is already compiling lists of Russian military personnel who may be handed over to Russia.
