Will Ukraine and Russia return to talks? Zelenskyy weighs in
Photo: President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy (Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
Negotiations between Ukraine and Russia will resume after the prisoner exchanges previously agreed upon in Istanbul. However, there is no specific date yet, according to a statement by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during a press briefing on June 13.
"As of today, exchanges are ongoing. You can see how complex this process is. According to the information I have, our minister of defense is in contact with Medinsky, the representative of the Russian group, regarding the exchanges. The agreement is that once the exchanges are completed, both sides will discuss the next step. We expect that they may be completed on the 20th or 21st," the president said.
Zelenskyy added that he would not announce the exact date when the exchanges will end, as the process is complicated. However, the exchanges will continue.
"They (the exchanges) will take place. There will be one tomorrow again (Zelenskyy made this statement on June 13). It's supposed to happen. So far, that's all I can say," the head of state said.
Ukraine–Russia negotiations
As a reminder, Ukraine and Russia have held two rounds of negotiations in Istanbul — on May 16 and June 2.
The main outcome of these talks was an agreement on prisoner exchanges. Following the first round, Ukraine and Russia carried out three exchange stages and returned 1,000 military personnel and civilians each.
During the second round in Istanbul, the parties agreed to exchange wounded and seriously ill prisoners of war, as well as all military personnel aged 18 to 25. The first phase of this large-scale exchange took place on June 9, with additional exchanges on June 10 and 12.
In addition, under the agreement, Ukraine brought home the bodies of fallen soldiers.
