**Ukraine and Russia Prepare for New Prisoner Swap as Peace Talks Continue**
The war between Ukraine and Russia has been ongoing for months, with both sides struggling to find a peaceful resolution. However, despite the challenges, there have been some positive developments in recent days. On June 2, President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that Russia and Ukraine are preparing to hold a new prisoner of war (POWs) exchange mediated by Turkey.
The decision comes after the second round of peace talks between Ukraine and Russia in Istanbul. During these talks, the two sides agreed to an exchange of prisoners, with priority given to seriously injured and younger soldiers. This is a significant step forward, as it shows that both parties are willing to work together to find a solution.
**Key Points from the Talks**
* The prisoner swap will be mediated by Turkey.
* Priority will be given to seriously injured and younger soldiers.
* The youth exchange will apply to people under 25, according to Vladimir Medinsky, Russian President Vladimir Putin’s aide.
* Ukraine has proposed an “all-for-all” exchange, where all prisoners are released at the same time.
**Zelensky Warns Russia**
President Zelensky also used the opportunity to warn Russia that if they do not take the talks seriously and do not make progress, new sanctions will be imposed. He emphasized that sanctions should remain an important lever of influence on Russia, which continues to wage war in Ukraine.
**Ukraine’s Peace Proposal**
During the talks in Istanbul, the Ukrainian delegation presented a peace proposal expressing its readiness to make concessions regarding Russian sanctions if a full ceasefire is achieved. The proposal includes a prisoner swap in an all-for-all format, bringing back Ukrainian children abducted by Russia, as well as the release of all civilians held in Russian captivity.
**Regular Prisoner Swaps Continue**
While ceasefire agreements and peace talks have remained elusive since the start of the full-scale invasion, regular prisoner swaps have continued to be one of the few areas of ongoing cooperation between the two countries. Ukraine has long advocated for an “all-for-all” exchange, but Russia has so far rejected the proposal.
**The Humanitarian Cost**
At least 8,000 Ukrainian service members are held captive by Russia, according to Iryna Vereshchuk, president’s office deputy head. This is a devastating humanitarian cost of the ongoing conflict, and it highlights the need for both sides to work towards a peaceful resolution.
As we continue to follow this story, it remains to be seen whether the new prisoner swap will bring any lasting peace or if it will simply delay further negotiations.
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