US EditionRussia and Ukraine Agree to Large-Scale Prisoner Swap, Core Disputes Remain Unresolved
- On May 16, 2025, Russia and Ukraine held their first direct peace talks since 2022 in Istanbul, agreeing on a large prisoner swap but maintaining major disagreements on ending the war.
- The talks followed extensive diplomatic pressure and coordination by Ukraine, Western allies, and the U.S., amid Moscow's continued refusal to accept a ceasefire and imposing new territorial demands.
- Both delegations, led by Vladimir Medinsky and Rustem Umerov, discussed exchanging 1,000 prisoners each and shared ceasefire proposals, while Russia demanded Ukrainian withdrawals from large territories.
- Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan described the prisoner swap as a "confidence-building measure," and U.S. President Trump urged meeting Putin "as soon as we can set it up" to end the conflict.
- Despite the prisoner exchange agreement, key conditions for peace remain unresolved, Russia’s aggression continues, and Ukraine with its allies calls for sustained pressure until Moscow agrees to end the war.
583 Articles
583 Articles
Ukraine War: "The only Ones that Could Slow Down the Russians Are the Chinese"
After the first direct talks between Russia and Ukraine since the beginning of the Russian invasion, it is open whether they will continue. Concrete plans for further meetings were not mentioned by the representatives of the conflict parties. Our correspondent Christoph Wanner reports from Kiev.
Herald Bulletin
Ukraine-Russia political theatrics underscore stark realities on the ground as war grinds on
Ukrainian officials and analysts say Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has few options but to draw U.S. President Donald Trump’s ire against Vladimir Putin, while depending on Europe’s support. Ukraine’s strategy since U.S.-brokered peace talks were launched is to convince the…
Ukraine and Russia: Talks over - No Ceasefire in Sight
The first direct meeting in more than three years: representatives of Ukraine and Russia met in Istanbul - albeit only briefly. Russia is satisfied, the Ukraine speaks of "unacceptable" demands. By S. Diettrich.[more]]>
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