Zelenskyy: Ukraine and Russia Eye Fresh POW Swap After Istanbul Peace Talks

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has announced that Ukraine and Russia are currently working on a new exchange of prisoners of war, signaling a potential humanitarian breakthrough amid the ongoing conflict.

The president made the disclosure after peace talks between Ukrainian and Russian delegations were held in Istanbul, Turkey.

Speaking from Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania, where he was attending a meeting with leaders from Central European and Nordic countries, Zelenskyy said:

“Following the Istanbul talks, both sides are working on an updated framework for prisoner exchange. The goal remains simple: to bring our people home.”

While details of the potential exchange are yet to be made public, observers say the renewed negotiations reflect cautious optimism about limited cooperation between the two warring nations — especially on humanitarian matters.

Both countries have carried out multiple prisoner swaps since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022. The exchanges are typically brokered through neutral parties or international organizations and often involve soldiers, medics, and sometimes civilians.

Analysts view the development as part of a broader attempt to reduce tensions through back-channel diplomacy and confidence-building measures, even as active conflict continues in several regions of Ukraine.

Further updates are expected as negotiations progress.