Ukraine preparing 1,000-for-1,000 prisoner exchange and verifying each name – Zelenskyy
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
Ukraine is preparing for a large-scale prisoner exchange in a 1,000-for-1,000 format. Each Ukrainian name is currently being verified, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reports.
Zelenskyy stated that he receives briefings almost daily on Ukraine's preparations for a large-scale prisoner exchange with Russia.
"We must free all our people — without exception. We are verifying information for every name. We're doing everything possible. Truly doing our best," he emphasized.
1,000-for-1,000 prisoner exchange
On May 16, delegations from Ukraine and Russia held talks in Istanbul. During the hour-long meeting, the two sides discussed issues related to ending the war in Ukraine.
Following the meeting, Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov announced that an agreement had been reached on a 1,000-for-1,000 prisoner exchange. The information was later confirmed by the Russian side as well.
Vadym Skibitskyi, deputy chief of Ukraine's Defense Intelligence Service, stated that Ukraine had already begun reviewing the lists for return.
It was also recently reported that Ukraine's Security Service (SBU) is working on lists of Russian soldiers who may be handed over to Russia.
In recent days, President Zelenskyy commented on whom Ukraine intends to bring home in the upcoming exchange.
