Hope for Prisoners as Ukraine and Russia Agree to Exchange, But Peace Talks Stall
In a glimmer of hope amidst the ongoing conflict, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on Monday that Russia and Kyiv have agreed to free more prisoners of war. This breakthrough came during the second round of direct peace talks held in Istanbul, Turkey, where the two sides met for just over an hour. The agreement includes the exchange of 6,000 bodies of soldiers killed in action, as well as an "all for all" exchange of seriously wounded and sick soldiers, and young soldiers under the age of 25.
While this development brings some relief to the families of those affected, the talks delivered no major breakthrough in peace efforts. Russia again rejected Ukraine’s demand for an unconditional ceasefire, a crucial step towards ending the conflict. Speaking ahead of the talks, President Zelensky emphasized that a ceasefire and humanitarian actions, including the release of prisoners and the return of abducted children, are essential starting points for peace. He also reiterated the need for new sanctions to pressure Russian President Vladimir Putin into agreeing to a ceasefire.
The Ukrainian delegation, led by Defence Minister Rustem Umerov, proposed an unconditional ceasefire in the air, sea, and land for at least 30 days, a position that has remained unchanged for three months. However, Russia handed over a memorandum to Ukraine during the meeting, which Kyiv will review and decide on further steps within a week. Despite the lack of progress on a ceasefire, Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed his country’s willingness to facilitate a meeting between Presidents Zelensky and Putin.
The peace talks came on the heels of overnight attacks between the two countries, with Kyiv officials reporting a surprise drone attack on Sunday that damaged or destroyed over 40 warplanes at air bases deep inside Russia. The Institute for the Study of War, a Washington-based think tank, suggests that Russia is attempting to delay negotiations and prolong the war to make additional battlefield gains.
As the conflict continues, the international community remains hopeful that a peaceful resolution can be reached. The agreement to exchange prisoners of war is a step in the right direction, but more needs to be done to address the underlying issues driving the conflict. With the situation remaining fragile, the world watches with bated breath, awaiting the next development in this ongoing crisis.
