Russia and Ukraine swap 84 detainees prior to Trump-Putin meeting
In a significant development, a prisoner exchange between Russia and Ukraine has taken place on the eve of a highly anticipated summit between Russian President Vladimir Putin and American counterpart Donald Trump in Alaska. The exchange, confirmed by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, involves the release of 84 military and civilian personnel from Ukraine, some of whom participated in the defense of the port city of Mariupol.
This exchange is the only concrete result of the meetings held in Istanbul, marking a tangible step towards resolving the ongoing conflict between Moscow and Kyiv. Prisoner exchanges have been a recurring element since the outbreak of conflict in 2014, with both sides exchanging thousands of prisoners this year, in accordance with agreements reached during three rounds of direct talks in Istanbul from May to July.
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) have played a significant mediating role in recent prisoner swaps, including the August 14, 2025 exchange where 84 prisoners were exchanged on each side. However, in this specific exchange, the UAE has not been mentioned as playing a direct role.
Historically, prisoner exchanges have included civilians and soldiers who had been held in Russian captivity, sometimes facing harsh conditions and psychological pressure to give false confessions or propaganda statements. These exchanges have been crucial humanitarian actions amid a protracted war that began in 2014 with Russia's annexation of Crimea and the war in the Donbas, escalating dramatically in 2022 with the full-scale invasion.
The meeting between Putin and Trump will mainly address the prospects for peace in Ukraine. Despite the prisoner exchange, it is not expected to significantly impact the overall conflict. The exchanges remain one of the last areas where Moscow and Kyiv continue to cooperate. At the last meeting in this format in July, both delegations could only note "the distance" between their positions to end the conflict.
References: [1] The New York Times [2] BBC News [3] Amnesty International [4] Human Rights Watch [5] The Guardian
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