Russia-Ukraine Prisoner Exchange Amid Diplomatic Talks for Ceasefire
Russia and Ukraine exchanged 372 prisoners of war, facilitated by the UAE. President Trump referred to his discussions with Zelenskyy as “very good,” revealing ongoing ceasefire negotiations. Meanwhile, military hostilities persisted, with Russia conducting drone strikes despite claims of reduced aggression after the talks.
Russia and Ukraine completed a prisoner exchange of 372 soldiers in a swap facilitated by the United Arab Emirates. The Russian Ministry of Defence stated it returned 175 soldiers, including 22 seriously wounded, while Ukraine returned the same number of Russian troops. This event marks one of the largest exchanges since the onset of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed the exchange on social media, expressing gratitude for the efforts in locating Ukrainian prisoners and facilitating the swap. He acknowledged the role of the United Arab Emirates in making the exchange possible while emphasizing the hope it brings to the families of the prisoners.
The prisoner swap occurred during a recent phone call between President Trump and Zelenskyy, the day after Trump’s conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin to negotiate peace. Trump described his call with Zelenskyy as “very good” and reported that ceasefire negotiations were progressing favorably. He directed US officials to share further details about the discussions in an upcoming announcement.
Despite discussions of a ceasefire, Russian military operations continued aggressively. Following Trump’s call, Zelenskyy criticized Putin’s commitment to cease operations, citing ongoing drone strikes across Ukraine. He detailed that the night following the calls, Russia launched 150 drones, targeting various locations including energy facilities.
The Ukrainian military reported that 145 drones were launched during the attacks, successfully intercepting 72 of them. The strikes resulted in one death and damage to hospitals and railway power systems. In tandem, Russia’s military claimed to have destroyed 57 Ukrainian drones during defensive operations.
The recent exchange of 372 prisoners between Russia and Ukraine highlights diplomatic efforts amidst ongoing hostilities, facilitated by the UAE. President Zelenskyy has acknowledged the significance of this event, while discussions between Trump and both Putin and Zelenskyy focus on achieving a potential ceasefire. However, Russia’s aggressive military actions following these diplomatic conversations illustrate the complexities and continued tensions in the region.
Original Source: www.aljazeera.com
