Russia, Ukraine exchange prisoners of war

During this year, the two states have released hundreds of prisoners of war.

The latest exchange comes on the eve of the summit between US President Donald Trump, and Russian President Vladimir Putin, to be held in Alaska on 15 August.

Russia's Defence Ministry wrote in Telegram that the United Arab Emirates brokered the exchange, adding that Russian military personnel released the same “receive psychological and medical assistance”.

Ukrainian President Voldymyr Zelensky wrote on social networks that among exchange prisoners “there are civilians and military personnel “, some of whom have been held by Russians since 2014, 2016 and 2017”.

He said the “defenders of Marioupolis” were also part of the exchange, referring to the Ukrainian port city that was taken over by Russian forces in 2022, after almost three months of siege.

Zelensky added that “would have additional exchanges of” to prisoners.

Large exchanges of prisoners were the only tangible result of three peace talks between Russian and Ukrainian delegations in Istanbul, held between May and July.

In their latest round of talks, held last month, Russia and Ukraine agreed to exchange 1,200 war inmates each.

A Russian negotiator said Moscow had also offered to hand over the troops of 3,000 soldiers killed. / REL/