Ukraine and Russia have agreed on a new prisoner exchange at talks in Istanbul. This was announced by the head of the Ukrainian delegation, Defence Minister Rustem Umerov, following the meeting.
During a short press conference, he said that the first thing they wanted to exchange was the seriously wounded, sick and young people. At the briefing, he clarified that there is an agreement to exchange all prisoners of war with serious illnesses, as well as all soldiers aged 18-25.
They also agreed to exchange the bodies of six thousand dead.
In addition, Ukraine handed over to Russia a list of several hundred children to be returned home.
Unlike the previous round of talks, today they decided to focus on categories rather than the number of people to be exchanged, Minister Rustem Umerov explained.
Umerov made a brief statement immediately after the talks, which lasted just over an hour. Russian journalists tried to interrupt the minister during the Ukrainian delegation's pre-meeting and asked if Ukraine would accept responsibility for anything.
- Today, the second round of talks between Ukraine and Russia took place in Istanbul. The Ukrainian delegation had submitted its demands for a ceasefire to the Russians in advance. The Russians did not.
- Following the meeting, the head of the Presidential Administration, Andriy Yermak, said that the Ukrainians also handed over a full list of abducted children whom Russia must return home.
- During the last talks, held in Istanbul on 16 May, Ukraine and Russia conducted a 1000-for-1000 exchange. It was the largest exchange of prisoners for the entire period of the full-scale war.