The Ukrainian government has dismissed accusations from Russian President Vladimir Putin regarding a breakdown in negotiations for a large-scale prisoners of war exchange.
According to Telegram channel Astra, speaking to state media following the Victory Day parade on Saturday, May 9, Putin claimed that Russia had offered a list of 500 Ukrainian POWs for exchange on May 5. He alleged that Ukrainian negotiators “went off the radar” and eventually stated they were not ready for the deal.
Putin also claimed that while Moscow supports US President Donald Trump’s initiative for a “1,000-for-1,000” exchange, he is still waiting for a “corresponding reaction” from Kyiv.
The Office of the President of Ukraine (OP) responded to Suspilne, stating that Putin’s claims “do not correspond to reality.” According to a source within the OP, the work on the massive exchange is actively moving forward.
“Since the agreement was reached through the mediation of the United States, the actual implementation of the exchange depends on the ability of the American side to act as its guarantor,” the source stated. “Active contacts on this issue are currently ongoing.”
A high-stakes humanitarian mission
The proposed swap would be one of the largest since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion, totaling 2,000 detainees. The parameters of the deal include the “1,000 for 1,000” format brokered by Washington to serve as a major humanitarian step. The exchange was planned to coincide with a temporary truce from May 9 to May 11.
President Volodymyr Zelensky previously emphasized that the return of prisoners is a central priority, stating that “the lives of Ukrainian POWs” outweighed military strikes on Moscow during the holiday period.
The war of words over the prisoner exchange comes at a time of extreme tension. Despite the declared three-day ceasefire, Russian drone strikes have continued to hit civilian targets in Kharkiv and Dnipropetrovsk, resulting in fatalities and injuries to children.
Zelensky had previously credited US mediation for the breakthrough, expressing hope that Washington would ensure Russia complies with its commitments. As the May 11 deadline for the planned truce approaches, the successful execution of the exchange remains the primary indicator of whether the US-mediated diplomatic efforts will hold.