Türkiye Mediates First Direct Talks in Three Years, Facilitating Exchange of 1,000 Prisoners Each
Russia and Ukraine have concluded the third and final phase of their largest prisoner swap to date, under an agreement brokered in Istanbul earlier this month. The historic exchange was facilitated by Türkiye, which hosted the first direct negotiations between the two sides in three years on May 16.
In the latest round, 303 Russian servicemen were returned to Moscow in exchange for 303 Ukrainian soldiers, according to a statement issued by the Russian Defence Ministry on Sunday.
“Currently, Russian servicemen are on the territory of the Republic of Belarus, where they are receiving the necessary psychological and medical assistance,” the statement said, adding that the personnel will soon be transported to Russia for continued treatment and rehabilitation.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also confirmed the successful exchange in a post on X (formerly Twitter), expressing gratitude to the team behind the effort.
“We will definitely bring every single one of our people back from Russian captivity,” he said.
The May 16 Istanbul meeting marked a diplomatic breakthrough, leading to an agreement to exchange 1,000 prisoners from each side and to continue negotiations toward a broader ceasefire.
Following the initial agreement, two additional exchanges were carried out in recent days: one involving 390 prisoners from each side, and another involving 307. This latest swap completes the agreed-upon total.
The successful coordination is being viewed as a potential starting point for deeper diplomatic engagement between Moscow and Kyiv, amid hopes that further humanitarian gestures may pave the way for eventual peace talks.
