Russia and Ukraine agree to prisoner swap in first direct talks since 2022
The first direct peace talks between Russia and Ukraine since 2022 on Friday led to a large-scale prisoner swap, but did not bring about a breakthrough in negotiations toward ending the war.
The two countries agreed to the largest exchange of captured soldiers since the beginning of the war, with each side giving up 1000 prisoners of war.
But they remain far apart over ending the conflict, as Russian officials insisted Ukraine withdraw from territory it still controls — a non-starter for Kyiv.
Moscow's top negotiator said the Kremlin was 'ready to continue contacts,' adding that the two parties agreed to 'write down' their visions of a ceasefire deal and continue negotiations.
'I would consider that 'better than expected' as an outcome for the first direct talks in 3 years,' Russia expert Samuel Charap said, arguing that 'it would have been shocking for results to emerge from this first meeting.'
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