Ukraine-Russia talks in Istanbul and preparations for major prisoner exchange - Friday brief
RBC-Ukraine collage
Delegations of Ukraine and Russia held talks in Istanbul. The parties agreed to exchange prisoners in the format of 1,000 for 1,000.
Read more about what happened on Friday, May 16.
Ukraine-Russia talks in Istanbul
Negotiations between the Ukrainian and Russian delegations took place in Istanbul yesterday, May 16. It was the first contact between the countries in three years of full-scale war.
The meeting of the Ukrainian and Russian delegations lasted a little over an hour. However, they did not achieve significant progress in reaching peace.
The parties did not reach an agreement on a 30-day ceasefire but agreed on a large prisoner exchange.
The topic of a possible meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian leader Vladimir Putin was also raised.
The Economist correspondent Oliver Carroll reported that during the negotiations in Istanbul, the Russian delegation threatened to seize two more regions of Ukraine — Kharkiv and Sumy — and to continue the war "forever."
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine confirmed that during the negotiations, the Russian delegation put forward a number of unacceptable demands that do not correspond to Ukraine’s interests. Ukraine held its ground, maintained its position, and kept bringing the discussion back to the points that are important.
More details about the negotiations in Istanbul — in the report by RBC-Ukraine.
We have also compiled the main statements from the representatives of Ukraine and Russia following the meeting in Istanbul and how the world is reacting to them.
Ukraine and Russia agree on 1,000-for-1,000 prisoner exchange
After negotiations in Istanbul, Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, who headed the Ukrainian delegation, said that Ukraine and Russia agreed to exchange prisoners of war in a 1,000-for-1,000 format. It was later confirmed by the Russian side.
According to Ukraine's Defense Intelligence, Ukraine has already begun to process the lists of people who will be returned home.
Zelenskyy and four EU leaders discuss Istanbul talks with Trump
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, together with European leaders, held a call with Donald Trump. They discussed the Ukraine-Russia negotiations that took place in Istanbul.
According to him, the call with Trump included Zelenskyy, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk.
"The talks in Istanbul were the main topic, yes," presidential spokesperson Serhii Nykyforov told journalists.
Zelenskyy himself confirmed the talks with Trump.
EU plans to double heavy caliber ammunition deliveries to Ukraine in 2025
The European Union plans to double deliveries of heavy caliber ammunition to Ukraine over the course of this year.
Chairman of the European Union's Military Committee Robert Brieger made this statement after a meeting of EU defense chiefs held in Brussels.
"The goal is to deliver 2 million rounds of heavy caliber ammunition to your country during the current year. So it's about doubling the amount of the last year," he said.
According to Brieger, the EU will encourage member states to produce and procure more ammunition in order to meet this goal.
Denmark preparing 26th military aid package for Ukraine – Zelenskyy
Denmark continues to provide military aid to Ukraine. The country is now preparing its 26th support package for the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he held a meeting with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen.
"We discussed continued military support and direct investment in Ukraine’s defense industry. Denmark is one of the leaders in supporting our country and is already preparing its 26th military aid package for Ukraine. This support helps save lives. We deeply appreciate it," the President said.
Former US ambassador to Ukraine explains why she resigned and Trump's role
Former US Ambassador to Ukraine Bridget Brink resigned over President Donald Trump's foreign policy, saying, "I could no longer in good faith carry out the administration's policy."
"It is the role of America's Foreign Service to execute that policy. Unfortunately, the policy since the beginning of the Trump administration has been to put pressure on the victim, Ukraine, rather than on the aggressor, Russia. As such, I could no longer in good faith carry out the administration's policy and felt it was my duty to step down," the former ambassador said.
Bodies of 909 fallen defenders returned to Ukraine
Ukraine has retrieved the bodies of 909 of its defenders who were killed on the front line. They fought in eight sectors of the front.
Among the fallen are defenders who gave their lives in the hottest sectors of the front: Kurakhove, Pokrovsk, Bakhmut, Vuhledar, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, Sumy, Kharkiv, as well as bodies that were in morgues on the territory of Russia.
