Zelenskyy says Ukraine preparing list for new prisoner swap with Russia
The announcement came after Zelenskyy met with National Security and Defense Council Secretary Rustem Umerov and Presidential Office head Andriy Yermak to discuss the implementation of agreements made during the July 23 talks in Türkiye — the third round of renewed negotiations between Moscow and Kyiv.
'Among the key issues is the continuation of POW exchanges. There is an agreement to exchange 1,200 people, and work on the lists is ongoing,' Zelenskyy said in a post on X.
He added that Umerov, who led Ukraine's delegation in Istanbul, had updated him on communications with the Russian side.
Zelenskyy also said Ukraine is working to secure the release of detained civilians, verifying information on each case.
Vladimir Medinsky, head of Russia's delegation, confirmed after the July talks that both sides had completed a previous exchange of 1,200 prisoners each and had agreed to conduct another swap in the same format.
The Ukrainian leader said Yermak briefed him on coordination with international partners, particularly the United States, to support Kyiv's diplomatic initiatives.
Prior to the July meeting, two earlier rounds of talks in Türkiye — on May 16 and June 2 — had restarted peace negotiations stalled since March 2022, when the last formal discussions also took place in Istanbul. — Agencies
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Saudi Gazette
5 hours ago
- Saudi Gazette
Zelenskyy says Ukraine preparing list for new prisoner swap with Russia
KYIV — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Sunday that Kyiv is compiling a list of prisoners to be exchanged with Russia, following an agreement reached during the latest round of peace talks in Istanbul last month. The announcement came after Zelenskyy met with National Security and Defense Council Secretary Rustem Umerov and Presidential Office head Andriy Yermak to discuss the implementation of agreements made during the July 23 talks in Türkiye — the third round of renewed negotiations between Moscow and Kyiv. 'Among the key issues is the continuation of POW exchanges. There is an agreement to exchange 1,200 people, and work on the lists is ongoing,' Zelenskyy said in a post on X. He added that Umerov, who led Ukraine's delegation in Istanbul, had updated him on communications with the Russian side. Zelenskyy also said Ukraine is working to secure the release of detained civilians, verifying information on each case. Vladimir Medinsky, head of Russia's delegation, confirmed after the July talks that both sides had completed a previous exchange of 1,200 prisoners each and had agreed to conduct another swap in the same format. The Ukrainian leader said Yermak briefed him on coordination with international partners, particularly the United States, to support Kyiv's diplomatic initiatives. Prior to the July meeting, two earlier rounds of talks in Türkiye — on May 16 and June 2 — had restarted peace negotiations stalled since March 2022, when the last formal discussions also took place in Istanbul. — Agencies
Leaders
6 hours ago
- Leaders
Scandal in Kyiv: Ukraine Uncover Major Corruption Scheme Involving Top Officials
Ukrainian authorities have arrested a lawmaker and several senior officials, following a major anti-corruption investigation into military procurement fraud involving drones and electronic warfare systems. President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed the arrests publicly on social media platform X, stating those exposed include a sitting MP, heads of district and city administrations, and National Guard members. Their alleged scheme involved signing state contracts with suppliers at prices inflated by up to 30%. 'Ukraine maintains zero tolerance for corruption,' Zelensky declared firmly, thanking the anti-corruption agencies for their crucial work uncovering the bribery. Anti-Corruption Independence Restored After Protests Significantly, this probe follows the recent restoration of independence for Ukraine's key anti-corruption bodies after Zelensky's government faced massive nationwide protests just days earlier. Public outrage erupted after parliament passed a bill stripping the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO) of their autonomy. Zelensky initially argued the agencies required 'clearing of Russian influence.' His original bill aimed to grant the general prosecutor authority over high-level corruption prosecutions, with critics widely condemning the move as a major setback for Ukraine's anti-graft efforts. Consequently, the protests became the largest since Russia's 2022 full-scale invasion. Responding swiftly to public anger, Zelensky submitted a new bill as Parliament voted overwhelmingly to restore NABU and SAPO's former independence just nine days after the initial controversial law passed. Crucial for Ukraine's EU Path Kyrylo Budanov, head of Ukraine's Defence Intelligence (HUR), thanked Zelensky for 'hearing the public's call' and avoiding a mistake regarding the agencies. EU allies also praised the reversal, having expressed serious concerns about the first bill's implications. Ukraine's fight against corruption remains vital for its European Union membership bid. The EU Commission and International Monetary Fund mandated creating NABU and SAPO back in 2014, a key condition for visa liberalization and later EU candidate status, granted to Kyiv in 2022. Since their establishment, NABU and SAPO have pursued high-profile investigations, targeting multi-million-dollar asset misappropriation and bribes across ministries and sectors. Notably, a joint 2023 investigation led to the arrest of Vsevolod Kniaziev, then-head of Ukraine's Supreme Court, over an alleged $3 million bribe. Short link : Post Views: 14
Al Arabiya
15 hours ago
- Al Arabiya
Russian and Chinese navies carry out artillery and anti-submarine drills in Sea of Japan
The Russian and Chinese navies are carrying out artillery and anti-submarine drills in the Sea of Japan as part of scheduled joint exercises, the Russian Pacific Fleet was quoted as saying on Sunday. The drills are taking place two days after US President Donald Trump said he had ordered two nuclear submarines to be positioned in 'the appropriate regions' in response to remarks by former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev. However, they were scheduled well before Trump's action. Interfax news agency quoted the Pacific Fleet as saying Russian and Chinese vessels were moving in a joint detachment including a large Russian anti-submarine ship and two Chinese destroyers. It said diesel-electric submarines from the two countries were also involved, as well as a Chinese submarine rescue ship. The maneuvers are part of exercises titled 'Maritime Interaction-2025' which are scheduled to end on Tuesday. Interfax said Russian and Chinese sailors would conduct artillery firing, practice anti-submarine and air defense missions, and improve joint search and rescue operations at sea. Russia and China, which signed a 'no-limits' strategic partnership shortly before Russia went to war in Ukraine in 2022, conduct regular military exercises to rehearse coordination between their armed forces and send a deterrent signal to adversaries. Trump said his submarine order on Friday was made in response to what he called 'highly provocative' remarks by Russia's Medvedev about the risk of war between the nuclear-armed adversaries. Russia and the United States have by far the biggest nuclear arsenals in the world. It is extremely rare for either country to discuss the deployment and location of its nuclear submarines. Trump's comments came at a time of mounting tension with Moscow as he grows frustrated at the lack of progress towards ending the Ukraine war.
