US President Donald Trump on Friday announced what he called a “major” prisoner swap between Russia and Ukraine, though sources involved in the exchange told Kyiv Post that the swap is still ongoing at the border and is not yet complete.

“A major prisoners swap was just completed between Russia and Ukraine,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.

“Congratulations to both sides on this negotiation. This could lead to something big???” he added, without providing further details.

The announcement follows an agreement between Moscow and Kyiv during talks in Istanbul earlier this month to exchange 1,000 prisoners each – the only substantial outcome of these negotiations.

Several exchanges have taken place since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

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Earlier this month, each side released 205 captured soldiers in a separate exchange.

The Kremlin also said this week that Russian President Vladimir Putin and Trump discussed a possible bilateral prisoner swap involving the United States.

Trump’s calls for an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine have so far been rejected by Putin.

Andriy Yusov, deputy head of Kyiv’s Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War (POWs), told Kyiv Post on Thursday, May 22, that Ukraine had prepared and handed over a list of names for the proposed “1000-for-1000” prisoner exchange with Russia.

Ukraine Brings Home 185 POWs, Civilian in Latest Prisoner Exchange With Russia
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Ukraine Brings Home 185 POWs, Civilian in Latest Prisoner Exchange With Russia

Ukraine secured the return of 185 service members and one civilian in its 75th prisoner exchange with Russia. Among those released were defenders of Mariupol and Azovstal, while a father and son captured a day apart in 2022 were reunited after years in captivity.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky later confirmed that Russia had also submitted its list of names to Ukraine.

 

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