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Russia, Ukraine Agree on Prisoner Swap and Return of Dead in Istanbul Talks; No Ceasefire Deal
Russia & Ukraine agree to swap prisoners & return remains of 6,000 soldiers after Istanbul talks, but no ceasefire deal reached amid ongoing conflict escalation.
ND
by News Desk
2025-06-03
Russia, Ukraine Agree on Prisoner Swap and Return of Dead in Istanbul Talks; No Ceasefire Deal

In a second round of direct negotiations held at Istanbul’s historic Ciragan Palace, Russia and Ukraine have agreed on a significant prisoner swap and the return of the bodies of thousands of fallen soldiers, though no progress was made toward a ceasefire or ending the war.

The talks on Monday lasted less than two hours and followed a similar session held in mid-May. Both sides confirmed they would exchange all severely wounded prisoners of war, as well as all captured fighters aged between 18 and 25. Ukraine’s Defense Minister Rustem Umerov said the swap involves “at least 1,000” prisoners from each side, surpassing the previous 1,000-for-1,000 exchange earlier this month.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed that documents had been exchanged via Turkey and said Kyiv is preparing for the next group of prisoner releases. He also revealed that Kyiv had submitted a list of nearly 400 abducted Ukrainian children to Moscow, but Russia agreed only to discuss the return of 10.

Despite these limited diplomatic advances, the talks exposed deep divisions over a ceasefire. Ukraine’s Deputy Foreign Minister Sergiy Kyslytsya stated that Russia rejected an unconditional ceasefire proposal, while Russian negotiator Vladimir Medinsky suggested a short two- to three-day truce in specific front-line areas to recover fallen soldiers.

Ukraine has remained skeptical about peace prospects, with lawmakers highlighting Russia’s refusal to accept a 30-day ceasefire proposed earlier by Ukraine and supported by the West.

Meanwhile, Ukraine escalated military pressure far beyond the frontline by launching drone attacks on Russian airbases in Arctic, Siberian, and Far Eastern regions, reportedly damaging over 40 Russian warplanes.

Russia presented a peace memorandum outlining its terms for ending hostilities, which include Ukraine withdrawing from the four Russian-annexed regions, halting mobilization and Western arms imports, freezing foreign military presence, ending martial law, holding elections, and declaring neutrality with restrictions on NATO membership and military forces. Ukraine and Western nations have rejected these conditions.

The two delegations agreed to schedule further talks between June 20 and June 30. Zelenskyy reiterated his willingness to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin directly.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan praised the talks as “magnificent” and expressed hope to facilitate a direct meeting between Putin and Zelenskyy, potentially including former U.S. President Donald Trump, who has also expressed openness to mediation.

Despite ongoing talks, experts say the fundamental political disagreements remain unresolved, with little hope of an immediate peace settlement.

 
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