Ukraine, Russia Agree on Major Prisoner Exchange During Peace Talks in Istanbul
Ahmed Emam
Russia and Ukraine agreed Monday to a significant humanitarian gesture during peace talks held in Istanbul, marking a rare moment of consensus amid the ongoing conflict.
The two sides committed to exchanging all severely wounded prisoners of war and detainees under the age of 25. Additionally, both countries agreed to repatriate the bodies of 6,000 soldiers killed in combat.
The announcement came during the second round of direct negotiations between Kyiv and Moscow, hosted by Turkey in a fresh bid to bring an end to the protracted war. The high-stakes meeting took place at Istanbul's historic Çırağan Palace and was chaired by Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan.
According to Turkish state news agency reports, Fidan opened the trilateral meeting by emphasizing the importance of dialogue and mutual compromise. "This platform offers a critical opportunity to reduce tensions and bring both sides closer to peace," he said.
Delegates from Ukraine and Russia were seated at separate tables, with Turkish officials, including Fidan, occupying a central table, symbolizing Turkey's role as a mediator. Reuters reported that both delegations were expected to present their proposals and demands related to a potential peace agreement.
While broader political differences remain unresolved, the prisoner and body exchange agreement was welcomed internationally as a vital confidence-building measure. Analysts see the Istanbul talks as one of the most substantial diplomatic efforts in months to break the deadlock between the two warring nations.
Turkey, a NATO member with close ties to both Russia and Ukraine, has positioned itself as a neutral facilitator in the conflict. Ankara has hosted several rounds of negotiations since the war began, though few have yielded concrete outcomes.
The continuation of the talks is expected over the coming days, with observers cautiously hopeful that the Istanbul round could mark the beginning of a more sustained peace process.
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