Locking Horns No More? Zelensky Hints at New Prisoner Swap with Putin
Russia and Ukraine conduct fresh prisoner swap, according to Selenskyy's announcement.
In a turn of events, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced potential prisoner exchanges with Russia. The talks took place in Istanbul and were facilitated by Turkey, as per the president's statement during his visit to Lithuania.
The latest round of negotiations between Moscow and Kyiv has concluded, leaving behind a positive impression. President Zelensky made it clear that Russia should not benefit from any concessions, or else it would encourage President Putin to continue aggression against Ukraine.
Adviser Andriy Yermak shared that Ukraine submitted a list of several hundred children who were illegally detained or abducted in Russian-occupied territories during discussions in Istanbul.
The talks, lasting over an hour, ended without a negative outcome as per the Turkish Foreign Ministry's statement. Although a ceasefire evaded both parties, hopes are high for the exchange of prisoners of war, with a special focus on severely injured individuals and youth aged 18 to 25. The prisoner exchange could potentially involve a whopping 1,200-for-1,200 swap, including imprisoned journalists and political prisoners held by Russia.
Sources: ntv.de, AFP
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In-Depth: The Prisoner Exchange
The prisoner exchange, if successful, is slated to include at least 1,000 people on each side, with the potential for a 1,200-for-1,200 swap. This could involve imprisoned journalists and political prisoners detained by Russia.
Turkey's Role in Mediation
Turkey has taken on a crucial role as an intermediary, hosting the talks and working diligently to bridge the gap between Ukraine and Russia.
Persisting Challenges
Despite these positives, significant hurdles remain: the absence of a ceasefire and continued Russian military activities in Ukraine. The tensions persist, as both parties have yet to achieve a comprehensive peace agreement.
The community policy of both Ukraine and Russia might need to address the ongoing prisoner exchange talks, as a potential swap of up to 1,200 individuals could involve imprisoned journalists and political prisoners. In the broader context of general-news, politics continues to have a significant impact on employment policies, as Turkey's role in mediation could potentially affect employment opportunities for diplomats and mediators.
