On Friday, former President Trump shared that Ukraine and Russia are engaged in a significant prisoner exchange, following discussions held in Turkey last week.
In a message on his platform, Truth Social, Trump congratulated both nations, noting that the exchange would soon take place. He highlighted that this development could signify progress, especially since Russia had taken over two months to agree on a ceasefire.
“Could this lead to something substantial?” Trump remarked.
Both countries are set to exchange 1,000 prisoners of war. This upcoming swap could indicate a step forward in rebuilding trust, as Russia has supported the idea of an unconditional ceasefire, proposing instead to draft terms to conclude the conflict.
Since launching a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Russia now holds around 20% of Ukraine’s eastern and southern territory, including the Crimea Peninsula, which was annexed in 2014.
Ukrainian President Voldy Mirzelensky stated on Thursday that Ukraine is prepared to “act swiftly” toward a ceasefire and “establish a new security framework.” He attributed some responsibility for the ongoing war to Russia, while also acknowledging that it persists.
“Our aim is not to prolong the conflict, but rather to gear up for any situation,” he expressed in a post on X.
“We are laying down all necessary groundwork on our end. What we need now is for Russia to reciprocate. Unfortunately, we aren’t there yet, and without increased global pressure, that’s unlikely to change.”
