Russia and Ukraine Agree to Large-Scale Prisoner Exchange During Peace Talks in Turkey

What Happened?

Russia and Ukraine recently agreed to a prisoner exchange during peace talks that wrapped up in Istanbul, Turkey, on Friday.

During talks led by a U.S. delegation, Secretary of State Marco Rubio helped the two sides agree to a 1,000-person exchange from each country as a confidence-building measure.

Both sides also agreed to share, in writing, their vision for a ceasefire as the ongoing war in Kyiv continues.

According to ABC News, Ukrainian officials asked for a meeting between President Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Russian officials said the proposed meeting would be taken under advisement.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, who helped lead these efforts, said that the two parties agreed in principle to meet again.

'As Turkey, we will continue to make every effort to enable lasting peace between Russia and Ukraine,' Fidan said on the social platform X Friday.

President Donald Trump told reporters Friday that he wants to meet with Putin 'as soon as we can set it up.'

'We're going to do it,' Trump said from Abu Dhabi during the last stop of his Middle Eastern tour. 'I actually think it's time for us to do it.'

Why it Matters

Trump suggested that the world could be a 'much safer place' in two or three weeks to negotiate an end to the Russia-Ukraine war.

But some reports highlighted discussions lasted less than two hours in the first direct Russia-Ukraine peace talks since 2022.

A senior Ukrainian official told The Associated Press that Russia introduced new 'unacceptable demands' to withdraw Ukrainian forces from huge swaths of territory.

Zelensky took to social media following the conclusion of Friday's meeting.

'Spoke with POTUS (President Trump) together with President Macron, Federal Chancellor Merz, Prime Ministers Starmer and Tusk. We discussed the meeting in Istanbul. Ukraine is ready to take the fastest possible steps to bring real peace,' he said. 'It is important that the world holds a strong stance.'

He adds that if Russia rejects a full and unconditional ceasefire, tough sanctions must follow.

How it Affects You

Many now suggest that pressure on Russia must be maintained until Putin is ready to end the war, or he and Zelensky meet face-to-face.

The countries continue to exchange war attacks as Russian forces prepare for a fresh military offensive.

NATO members grow more wary of Moscow's intentions after rejecting the U.S. call for a 30-day ceasefire.

Russia's stagnation could soon backfire as Ukrainian support grows stronger.

If Trump is unable to reach a deal with Putin, hopes of a breakthrough with Russia could diminish in a matter of weeks.