**Ukraine Repatriates 1,000 Bodies in Exchange Deal with Russia**
In a significant development, Ukraine has returned 1,000 bodies of fallen soldiers and citizens to their homes based on an agreement reached with Russia. This comes as part of a larger deal concluded during peace talks in Istanbul on June 2, which involved the repatriation of around 6,057 bodies.
The agreement was struck between the two nations following several rounds of peace talks that took place in May and June. Despite these efforts, no major breakthroughs were made towards ending the hostilities. However, both sides did manage to agree on new prisoner exchange formulas, including a significant swap involving 1,000 captives from each side.
The repatriation process has been carried out in several phases since June 16, with Ukraine receiving the bodies of its fallen soldiers and citizens under the deal. Interestingly, Kyiv officials have revealed that Moscow also included the bodies of several killed Russian soldiers in this transfer. In response, Ukraine returned three killed Russian combatants to Russia.
**The Quest for Comprehensive Prisoner Exchange**
Ukraine has repeatedly urged Russia to adopt an “all-for-all” prisoner exchange formula. This would involve the release of all Ukrainian and Russian captives held by both sides. While over 5,000 Ukrainians have been returned from Russian captivity since March 2022, Russia continues to resist a comprehensive swap.
The ongoing prisoner exchange stalemate highlights the complexities of resolving the conflict between Ukraine and Russia. The two nations remain at odds, despite multiple attempts at peace talks. As negotiations continue, it remains unclear whether an all-for-all prisoner exchange will become a reality, potentially paving the way for further progress towards ending the hostilities.
Read More @ kyivindependent.com
