In a major development during the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine, both countries exchanged 307 prisoners of war on Saturday, marking the second day of what is expected to be the largest prisoner swap since the conflict began over three years ago.
The swap, announced by Russia’s Ministry of Defense and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, is part of a broader agreement that will see 1,000 prisoners released by each side over three days.
The first stage occurred on Friday, when 390 detainees—including 120 civilians—were released. Saturday’s exchange saw more military personnel return to their respective homelands.
“Our goal is to bring home each and every one of our people from Russian captivity,” President Zelenskyy said in a message posted to Telegram. “Tomorrow we expect more.”
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Images shared by Zelenskyy’s office showed emotional reunions as Ukrainian soldiers draped in blue and yellow flags hugged one another upon arrival at a designated site inside Ukraine. The mood was one of relief and cautious optimism as soldiers were finally reunited with their comrades after months, or even years, in detention.
U.S. President Donald Trump, who has taken a hands-on approach to foreign diplomacy during his second term, has expressed hope that the prisoner swap may serve as a foundation for renewed peace negotiations between Kyiv and Moscow.
Trump, who encouraged the two sides to meet in Istanbul earlier this month, said the swap could “usher in a new phase of dialogue and diplomacy.”
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The agreement for the prisoner exchange reportedly emerged from the May 16 Istanbul talks—short-lived discussions between Russian and Ukrainian delegations brokered with Trump’s backing. The talks did not produce a formal peace agreement but did open the door to further negotiations.
Adding to the momentum, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov announced that Russia is prepared to present Ukraine with a draft proposal for a long-term peace settlement once the prisoner swap is completed.
While no official details of the draft have been released, Lavrov’s statement signals a potential shift toward diplomacy after months of stalled negotiations.
Despite the positive developments on the diplomatic front, the war continues to take a toll. Just hours before Saturday’s exchange, Kyiv was hit by a wave of Russian drone and missile attacks, injuring 15 people. The assault underscores the fragile nature of the situation, as acts of aggression continue even as both sides engage in limited cooperation.
As the final phase of the prisoner swap approaches, all eyes are on whether this symbolic gesture can translate into substantive progress toward ending the war. With 1,000 prisoners expected to be returned on both sides, the hope is that goodwill generated through the exchange could pave the way for broader talks—and eventually, a durable peace.
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