Türkiye proposed prisoner swap to break deadlock in Ukraine-Russia talks
Photo: Türkiye proposed a prisoner exchange at Ukraine-Russia talks (Getty Images)
Türkiye proposed a prisoner exchange when the Ukraine-Russia negotiations in Istanbul reached a deadlock. Both sides agreed to it, reports CNN.
A Turkish official told the outlet that the negotiations between Ukraine and Russia on Friday were “more positive than expected,” and the parties refrained from “accusatory language.”
“At a moment where it seemed like there was an impasse, we suggested the POW exchange that will include three categories – children, civilians and soldiers. The Ukrainian side went out to get approval for it,” the official noted.
According to him, the Russians “seemed to need to consult less than the Ukrainians.”
“They are two sides coming to the table to talk about two different things. But the fact that they came to İstanbul can be seen as a need on their part to find a way out,” the Turkish source told CNN about the talks.
Ukraine-Russia negotiations in Istanbul
Yesterday, on May 16, Ukraine and Russia held their first negotiations in three years. They lasted a little over an hour, but the parties did not reach an agreement on a ceasefire.
Russian president Vladimir Putin sent low-ranking officials to Istanbul, headed by Vladimir Medinsky. The Ukrainian team was led by Defense Minister Rustem Umerov.
After the meeting, Umerov reported that Ukraine and Russia agreed on a large prisoner exchange in the format of 1,000 for 1,000.
The media reported that Russia put forward unacceptable conditions during the negotiations. RBC-Ukraine’s sources said that Moscow demanded Ukraine’s acceptance of a neutral status, renunciation of five regions (including those not controlled by Russia), withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from these territories, renunciation of reparations, and protection of Russian-speaking rights.
More details on the negotiations in Istanbul – in RBC-Ukraine’s article.
