Moscow and Russia have come to an understanding where they will swap 1,000 prisoners of war (PoWs) each, as confirmed by the top Moscow negotiator.
The two countries have not agreed on a ceasefire yet. This was made at a time when the first face-to-face talks since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022 were under way, a session in which Moscow was accused by Kyiv of having new, "unacceptable demands."
Though a ceasefire agreement is still elusive, the release of 1,000 PoWs is the biggest prisoner of war swap between the nations so far.
Ukrainian chief negotiator Rustem Umerov affirmed that negotiations also involved possible ceasefire terms and a potential summit between the two presidents.
Vladimir Medinsky, one of Russian President Vladimir Putin's aides and the leader of Russia's delegation, said that the two sides agreed to share specific proposals on a possible ceasefire and to discuss the possibility of a meeting between their respective heads of state.
"These requirements were not raised before during negotiations," a Ukrainian official said, sounding alarmed by the newly introduced conditions.
During the negotiations, Ukraine continued to insist on an immediate ceasefire and the necessity of serious diplomatic efforts—reiterating calls that had already been made by the United States, European allies, and other international partners.
Medinsky confirmed that both sides would give their own proposals for a future ceasefire. He also accepted Ukraine's request for a direct presidential meeting between President Putin and President Zelensky, stating, "Overall, we are satisfied with the results and ready to continue contacts."
Although he had suggested the negotiations, President Putin himself did not go to the talks in Turkey but sent a lower-ranking delegation instead. President Zelensky fired back at this move, accusing Putin of being "afraid" to meet and Russia of not being willing to approach the negotiations in earnest.
"Having realized the caliber of the Russian delegation, we could see that unfortunately they are highly unserious about genuine negotiations," Zelensky added in a press conference in Ankara.
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