Russia, Ukraine Agree To Swap Prisoners Of War Amid Peace Talks In Istanbul

Last Updated:July 24, 2025, 08:03 IST

A Russian negotiator confirmed the agreement on a new prisoner exchange with Ukraine and proposed brief ceasefires for the recovery of dead and injured soldiers.

A Ukrainian serviceman evacuates a woman from an apartment building hit by a Russian missile strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Sumy, Ukraine. (IMAGE: REUTERS)

Ukraine on Wednesday proposed direct talks between President Volodymyr Zelensky and Russia’s Vladimir Putin within weeks. However, Moscow tempered expectations for progress at a new round of discussions in Istanbul.

A Russian negotiator confirmed the agreement on a new prisoner exchange with Ukraine and proposed brief ceasefires for the recovery of dead and injured soldiers.

Turkey, the host country, urged steps towards a lasting ceasefire and peace deal, but the Kremlin downplayed the chances of a breakthrough after three-and-a-half years of conflict.

Ukraine’s chief negotiator, Rustem Umerov, emphasised the importance of arranging a meeting between the presidents, suggesting talks by the end of August with US President Donald Trump and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan also participating.

Russian lead negotiator Vladimir Medinsky reported lengthy discussions but noted that “the positions are quite distant" and confirmed that both sides agreed to continue contacts.

Both countries agreed to exchange 1,200 prisoners of war each, and Moscow offered Kyiv the bodies of 3,000 killed soldiers. Medinsky added that Russia proposed 24-to 48-hour ceasefires to allow medical teams to collect the wounded and commanders to retrieve their soldiers’ bodies.

The two sides previously met in Istanbul in May and June, agreeing only on further exchanges of prisoners and soldiers’ bodies. Trump recently gave Russia 50 days to end the war or face sanctions, but the Kremlin has not shown willingness to compromise.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov acknowledged the difficulty of the negotiations, stating, “No one expects an easy road."

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan opened the meeting with a call to end the costly war as soon as possible, aiming for a ceasefire that would lead to peace.

A Ukrainian delegation source told AFP that progress depends on Russia adopting a constructive position rather than issuing ultimatums.

Moscow indicated that extensive work is needed before discussions on a potential meeting between Putin and Zelensky, who last met in 2019, can take place.

After the previous talks, the sides exchanged draft terms for ending the conflict, which the Kremlin described as “diametrically opposed." Russia demands Ukraine retreat from the four regions it claims to have annexed in September 2022, a condition Kyiv rejects.

Ukraine insists on no negotiations regarding territory until a ceasefire is established and refuses to recognise Russia’s claims over occupied areas, including Crimea, annexed in 2014.

Russia’s full-scale invasion launched in February 2022 has devastated vast areas of eastern and southern Ukraine, resulting in tens of thousands of casualties.

As negotiations proceeded, the White House increased pressure on Russia to reach a compromise. Trump set a September deadline for Russia to make a peace deal or face sanctions.

Since his inauguration in January, Trump has aimed to broker an end to the war but has failed to secure concessions from the Kremlin despite multiple calls with Putin.

Meanwhile, Russia has intensified attacks on Ukrainian towns and cities and advanced across various front-line regions.

Between late Tuesday and early Wednesday, Russia launched 71 drone attacks on four regions of Ukraine, according to the Ukrainian air force.

The Russian defence ministry announced the capture of Varachyne village in Ukraine’s northern Sumy region, where Moscow has been advancing for weeks.

A Russian drone attack in Sumy region earlier Wednesday caused a power outage affecting over 220,000 people, reported Zelensky.

(With agency inputs)

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News world Russia, Ukraine Agree To Swap Prisoners Of War Amid Peace Talks In Istanbul