Latest news with #prisonerExchange
Yahoo
19 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
Russia sent Ukraine 65 civilians slated for deportation in major prisoner exchange
In a prisoner exchange held from May 23 to 25, Russia sent Ukraine 65 prisoners who were set to be deported to Ukraine regardless of the swap, Suspilne reported on May 30. Ukraine and Russia held a 1,000-for-1,000 prisoner exchange from May 23 to 25 after previously agreeing to the exchange at peace talks on May 16. Aside from yielding a prisoner exchange, the peace negotiations in Istanbul were largely inconclusive. The majority of those exchanged were prisoners of war in Russia's war against Ukraine. 880 of 1,000 were military personnel. 120 of those returned were civilians held in Russian captivity, 65 of whom were set to be deported to Ukraine regardless of the prisoner exchange. 15 of the prisoners were serving sentences. Meanwhile, 50 of the exchanged prisoners were indefinitely held in detention facilities for foreigners not permitted to stay in Russia, awaiting deportation to Ukraine, Suspilne reported. While in captivity, the prisoners were offered freedom and Russian citizenship if they fought on behalf of Russia in its war against Ukraine. "We were lucky. But it would have been better if the guys who fought had been given up instead of us," one of the released prisoners said. Many of the released prisoners were returned to Ukraine without their legal documents, including passports. Russia regularly convicts people of politically motivated charges in an effort to silence opposition to its war against Ukraine. On April 18, a court in St. Petersburg sentenced 19-year-old Darya Kozyreva to two years and eight months in a penal colony for allegedly "discrediting" the Russian army. Kozyreva was arrested on Feb. 24, 2024, after she affixed a verse from Taras Shevchenko's "My Testament" to his statue in St. Petersburg. Another case was filed against her in August after she gave an interview to Radio Free Europe in which she denounced Russia's war in Ukraine as "monstrous" and "criminal." Read also: Ukraine watches closely as Poland faces polarizing presidential run-off We've been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Russia Today
4 days ago
- Business
- Russia Today
Moscow shares update on Ukraine peace memorandum
Russia is continuing work on a draft memorandum outlining the principles and timing of a potential future peace treaty with Ukraine, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova has said. Earlier this month in Istanbul, Russia and Ukraine held their first direct peace talks in three years. The delegations agreed to draft memorandums outlining their proposals for a peace settlement and announced a record 1,000-for-1,000 prisoner exchange. 'Russia continues to develop a draft memorandum on a future peace treaty, defining a number of positions, such as the principles of settlement, the timing of a possible peace agreement, and a potential ceasefire for a certain period of time, if appropriate agreements are reached,' Zakharova said at a press briefing on Tuesday. According to the spokeswoman, the document will be handed over to Kiev as soon as it is finalized. 'We expect that the Ukrainian side is conducting similar work and will send us its proposals simultaneously with the receipt of the Russian document,' Zakharova said. The spokeswoman noted, however, that Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky has been undermining the peace efforts with 'destructive statements.' 'Instead of seeing and hearing those who are trying to focus on at least some kind of constructive approach [he] is trying to… shift the blame for prolonging the conflict to Russia, while begging for more weapons every day and demanding tougher anti-Russian sanctions,' she noted. According to the official, Zelensky is deliberately trying to 'hinder the emerging peace progress.' 'Those who want peace do not make plans on how to supply even more weapons to the region… how to worsen the situation, not allowing those plans or shoots that were planted in Istanbul to grow further,' the diplomat stated, referring to Zelensky's Western backers. Zelensky mocked the Russian delegation in Istanbul, calling it 'weak and unprepared' and raising doubts about its decision-making powers. He accused the US, which has been mediating the peace process, of a lack of support for Kiev, which he claimed benefits Russia. This latest allegation sparked criticism from US President Donald Trump, who said that Zelensky 'is doing his country no favors by talking the way he does' and that 'everything out of his mouth causes problems.' Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov on Monday signaled that the Russian draft of the memorandum will likely be ready ahead of the next round of direct Russia-Ukraine talks. He noted, however, that neither a date nor venue for the negotiations has been determined.
Al Arabiya
4 days ago
- General
- Al Arabiya
Trump criticism won't hit US-Russia prisoner swap plans: Kremlin
The Kremlin said Tuesday that Donald Trump's criticism of Vladimir Putin will not affect plans for a US-Russia prisoner exchange that the two presidents discussed in a call last week. Trump called Putin 'crazy' over the weekend after Russia pummeled Ukraine with its largest drone attack since the start of its full-scale offensive, launched in February 2022. The Kremlin downplayed the spat when asked whether the US leader's comments could disrupt plans for a nine-for-nine prisoner swap between Moscow and Washington. 'It is clear that the Russian and American sides should not and can not agree on everything. There will always be certain disagreements,' Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters. 'But there is political will to implement the agreements that have been reached, and the work continues. We highly value this mutual willingness,' he added. Following a two-hour call between Putin and Trump last week, Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov said the pair had discussed 'swapping nine people for nine people' -- without giving any details on which prisoners. There have been several rounds of prisoner exchanges between Washington and Moscow since Trump returned to the White House in January. Washington has accused Moscow of 'hostage taking' -- arresting US citizens on baseless charges in a bid to use them as pawns to secure the release of Russians behind bars in the West. In the latest swap last month, dual US-Russian citizen Ksenia Karelina was released from a Russian jail -- where she was serving 12 years on treason charges after donating around $50 to a Ukrainian charity. In exchange the United States freed Arthur Petrov, a dual German-Russian citizen accused of breaking sanctions by trying to export US-made electronics to Russian military companies.
CNA
5 days ago
- Politics
- CNA
Trump slams 'crazy' Putin, as Denmark's PM says new attacks show Moscow not interested in peace
WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump called his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin "crazy" on Sunday (May 25) after Moscow launched a deadly barrage of drones against Ukraine, even as the warring countries completed a large-scale prisoner exchange. At least 13 people were killed when Russia launched a record number of drones against Ukraine overnight to Sunday. "I've always had a very good relationship with Vladimir Putin of Russia, but something has happened to him. He has gone absolutely CRAZY!" Trump said in a post on his Truth Social platform. "I've always said that he wants ALL of Ukraine, not just a piece of it, and maybe that's proving to be right, but if he does, it will lead to the downfall of Russia!" he added. His comments marked a rare rebuke to Putin, whom he often speaks of with admiration. The US leader has, however, expressed increasing frustration with Moscow's position in deadlocked truce negotiations with Kyiv. Earlier Sunday, Trump told reporters he was "not happy" about the latest attack on Ukraine and that he was "absolutely" considering increasing sanctions on Moscow. "I've known him a long time, always gotten along with him, but he's sending rockets into cities and killing people, and I don't like it at all," he said. "TERROR" Ukraine's emergency services described Sunday an atmosphere of "terror" in the country after a second straight night of massive Russian air strikes, including on the capital Kyiv. Those killed in the latest Russian strikes included victims aged eight, 12 and 17 in the northwestern region of Zhytomyr, officials said. "Without truly strong pressure on the Russian leadership, this brutality cannot be stopped," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on social media. "The silence of America, the silence of others around the world only encourages Putin," he said, adding: "Sanctions will certainly help." In his social media post, Trump also criticised Zelenskyy, a frequent target of his ire, accusing him of "doing his Country no favors by talking the way he does". "Everything out of his mouth causes problems, I don't like it, and it better stop," he said. The European Union's top diplomat, Kaja Kallas, also called for "the strongest international pressure on Russia to stop this war". DENMARK PM: MOSCOW NOT INTERESTED IN PEACE Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said on Monday (May 26) that the attacks on Ukraine over the weekend prove that Moscow is not interested in peace. "During the day, Putin talks about negotiations, then he bombs Ukraine during the night," Frederiksen told reporters at a meeting of Nordic leaders in Finland. Frederiksen said the Nordic leaders had agreed their countries would support Ukraine for as long as it takes, adding the support could mean military aid, investments in Ukraine's defence industry and cooperation with Ukrainian companies. German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul also denounced the attacks. "Putin does not want peace, he wants to carry on the war, and we shouldn't allow him to do this," he said. "For this reason, we will approve further sanctions at a European level." MAJOR PRISONER EXCHANGE The massive strikes on Ukraine came as Russia said it had exchanged another 303 Ukrainian prisoners of war for the same number of Russian soldiers held by Kyiv - the last phase of a swap agreed during talks in Istanbul on May 16. That marked their biggest prisoner swap since Moscow launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022, with 1,000 captured soldiers and civilian prisoners in total sent back by each side. Zelenskyy confirmed the swap was complete. An AFP reporter saw some of the formerly captive Ukrainian soldiers arrive at a hospital in the northern Chernigiv region, emaciated but smiling and waving to crowds. One former captive, 58-year-old Viktor Syvak, told AFP he was overcome by the emotional homecoming. Captured in the Ukrainian port city of Mariupol, he had been held for 37 months and 12 days.
Al Bawaba
5 days ago
- Politics
- Al Bawaba
Ceasefire deal in limbo as Hamas says yes, Israel says no, U.S. blames Hamas
Published May 26th, 2025 - 03:59 GMT The Israeli Broadcasting Authority, citing an official source, reported that Hamas agreed to a different version of the ceasefire proposal than the one Israel had accepted. ALBAWABA- A fresh ceasefire proposal backed by the United States has become the latest flashpoint in the Gaza conflict, as contradictory statements from Hamas, Israel, and U.S. officials sow confusion and stall progress. On Monday, Hamas announced it had accepted a U.S.-backed ceasefire and prisoner exchange deal. The proposed agreement includes a 70-day truce, the release of 10 living Israeli captives, hundreds of Palestinian detainees, including those serving life sentences, and a partial Israeli military withdrawal from key areas in Gaza, such as Salah al-Din road and the Netzarim corridor. ⚡️BREAKING:Hamas has agreed to a proposal by U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff for a Gaza ceasefire, a Palestinian official close to the group told Reuters on Monday.A Hamas source to Al Arabiya:The movement has agreed to the latest Witkoff proposal. The Witkoff proposal… — Suppressed News. (@SuppressedNws) May 26, 2025 But within hours, U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff appeared to refute Hamas's claims, stating that the group had actually rejected the deal. 'What I have seen from Hamas is disappointing and completely unacceptable,' Witkoff told Axios, adding that Israel was ready to move forward and that Hamas should accept the terms. Israeli media added to the confusion. Channel 14 reported that Israel rejected the latest offer, despite U.S. assurances, with one source claiming Hamas had accepted the deal. Still, Israel refused to commit, especially with clauses pushing toward a permanent ceasefire. The Israeli Broadcasting Authority, citing an official source, reported that Hamas agreed to a different version of the ceasefire proposal than the one Israel had accepted. Meanwhile, Haaretz reported that U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff conveyed to Israeli Minister Ron Dermer, during their meeting in Rome last weekend, the need to bring the war in Gaza to an end. A Hamas official speaking to Al Jazeera maintained that the group had accepted the deal in full, noting that it was structured around U.S. proposals previously outlined by Witkoff. Now, all sides are pointing fingers. Hamas insists the decision is in Israel's hands. Israel says Hamas is blocking progress. The U.S. envoy blames Hamas for sabotaging a breakthrough. © 2000 - 2025 Al Bawaba (
