**Ukraine and Russia’s Ongoing Prisoner Swap: A Significant Development**
A major prisoner swap between Ukraine and Russia is still ongoing, despite U.S. President Donald Trump claiming it had been “completed.” The exchange, which involves 1,000 detainees from each side, marks a significant development in the conflict between the two countries.
**The Largest POW Exchange Since 2014**
The planned exchange follows an agreement reached between Ukrainian and Russian delegations during talks in Istanbul on May 16. If completed, it would be the largest prisoner-of-war (POW) exchange between Kyiv and Moscow since Russia’s war against Ukraine began in 2014. This significant development comes at a time when tensions between the two countries remain high.
**A Rare Area of Cooperation**
Prisoner swaps remain one of the few areas of ongoing cooperation between Ukraine and Russia. The most recent exchange occurred on May 6, when 205 Ukrainian soldiers were returned in a one-for-one format. However, Ukraine has long advocated for an “all-for-all” exchange, where all prisoners are released simultaneously, but Russia has so far resisted this proposal.
**Ukraine’s Call for Transparency**
Kyiv has not disclosed the total number of Ukrainian prisoners of war being held in Russian custody. The lack of transparency surrounding the prisoner swap has raised questions about the terms and conditions of the exchange.
**Independent Journalism Matters**
In a statement, the Kyiv Independent noted that independent journalism needs a community to thrive. They emphasized the importance of reliable information being available to all, without paywalls or compromise. Their goal is to reach 20,000 members to demonstrate that independent journalism can survive without these constraints.
**Stay Informed**
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