**Ukraine Brings Home More Soldiers in Latest Prisoner Exchange with Russia**
In a significant development, Ukraine has successfully brought home another group of soldiers released from Russian captivity, President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on July 23. This marks the ninth prisoner exchange between Kyiv and Moscow in recent weeks, following an agreement reached at the second round of peace talks in Istanbul on June 2.
According to Zelensky, the latest exchange has facilitated the return of critically ill and severely wounded Ukrainian defenders. Notably, this brings the total number of people secured through the recent Istanbul agreements to over 1,000. For these families, the opportunity to be reunited with their loved ones is a “profound” one, as Zelensky noted.
The prisoner exchange coincides with the third round of negotiations in Istanbul, which will focus on key issues such as ceasefire, repatriation of prisoners and abducted children, and preparations for a possible meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian leaders. Ukraine expects further exchanges based on the June 2 agreements, Zelensky said earlier this week.
**Background to the Peace Talks**
The initial round of Russia-Ukraine peace talks in Istanbul, held on May 16, marked the first direct negotiations between the two parties since early 2022. While no breakthrough toward ending the war was achieved, the sides agreed on a “1,000-for-1,000” prisoner exchange, the largest swap of the war.
The subsequent second round led to an agreement on further exchanges focusing on severely ill or wounded captives and those younger than 25, as well as a deal on the repatriation of fallen soldiers. Ukraine continues to advocate for a full-scale “all-for-all” exchange, a proposal that Russia has so far rejected.
**Leadership Roles in the Talks**
As during the earlier rounds, the Ukrainian delegation in Istanbul is led by Rustem Umerov, now serving as the National Security and Defense Council secretary. The Russian delegation is again led by Putin’s aide, Vladimir Medinsky. Notably, Russian President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly declined to participate in person, sending lower-level officials instead.
**U.S. Pressure on Russia**
The peace efforts have gained a new impetus following U.S. President Donald Trump’s threat on July 14 that he would slap “severe” tariffs on Russia unless it agrees to end the war within 50 days. This external pressure may be an attempt to push Russia toward more meaningful concessions in the negotiations.
**Conclusion**
While the prisoner exchanges are a significant step forward, the broader conflict between Ukraine and Russia remains unresolved. The latest developments underscore the ongoing efforts to find common ground, even as the two sides remain far apart on key issues. As the talks continue, it remains to be seen whether this momentum can translate into more substantial progress toward ending the war.
Read More @ kyivindependent.com
