Russia may break up 1,000-for-1,000 POW swap - What’s behind it
Photo: Shamsail Saraliyev, Russian State Duma deputy (Russian media)
A large-scale prisoner exchange between Ukraine and Russia in the 1,000 for 1,000 format likely cannot be completed in a single day and may need to be carried out in several stages, according to Russian State Duma deputy Shamsail Saraliyev.
According to Saraliyev, such a massive exchange "requires some time" as it involves specific names.
He added that the process will reportedly be split over several days.
1,000-for-1,000 POW swap
On May 16, Istanbul hosted the first direct talks in three years between representatives of Ukraine and Russia. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was in Türkiye and had hoped for a face-to-face meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. However, Putin ignored the call for direct negotiations.
The Ukrainian delegation was led by Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, while Russia was represented by Putin’s aide, Vladimir Medinsky.
Following the talks, both sides agreed to a large-scale prisoner exchange in a 1,000-for-1,000 format. The Kremlin noted that while implementation would take time, all parties are eager to realize it as soon as possible.
On May 22, President Zelenskyy held a meeting on the prisoner exchange, during which officials reviewed the lists submitted by the Russian side.
