Zelenskyy announces deal for 1,200 prisoner exchanges with Russia, lists in progress
Photo: President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy (Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
Ukraine and Russia have agreed to exchange 1,200 prisoners following the third round of talks in Istanbul. Work is underway on the lists of people who may be exchanged, according to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's Telegram account.
The head of state held a meeting with Andriy Yermak, head of the Office of the President, and Rustem Umerov, secretary of the National Security and Defense Council. They discussed the negotiation process, specifically the implementation of agreements from the meetings with the Russian side in Istanbul and preparations for a new meeting.
"Among the key issues is the continuation of prisoner exchanges. There is an agreement on the exchange of 1,200 people, and work on the lists is ongoing. The secretary of the National Security and Defense Council reported on communication with the Russian representative," the president said.
Zelenskyy added that Ukraine is also working to unblock the return of civilians, with data being verified for each individual.
Yermak reported on cooperation with key partners, including contacts with the American side, as well as efforts to return children who were abducted and taken to Russia.
Preparation for command meetings
Zelenskyy and Umerov also discussed upcoming meetings of the supreme commander’s command. These meetings will cover:
- preparation of the energy sector and all critical infrastructure for the heating season,
- development of Ukraine’s air defense system,
- long-range strikes on Russian logistics.
"An audit of the implementation of decisions by the National Security and Defense Council and the command is ongoing. Unfortunately, some decisions have not been carried out. This will be rectified promptly," Zelenskyy emphasized.
Negotiations in Istanbul
Recall that on July 23, the third round of talks between the Ukrainian and Russian delegations took place in Istanbul. Previous meetings were held in Istanbul on May 16 and June 2.
Following the first round of negotiations, an agreement was reached on a prisoner exchange in a "1,000 for 1,000" format.
During the second round, an agreement was made on exchanging prisoners of two categories — wounded and seriously wounded — as well as soldiers under 25 years old, in an "all for all" format. Additionally, the exchange of bodies of deceased soldiers was agreed.
As noted by the secretary of Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council, Rustem Umerov, Ukraine proposed during the third meeting that Russia hold a four-party meeting by the end of August involving Zelenskyy, Putin, US President Donald Trump, and Turkish leader Erdoğan.
