Moscow and Kyiv have agreed to exchange 500 prisoners of war (POWs) each by Friday, even as broader peace negotiations remain stalled.
On Thursday, 200 Russian POWs were released as part of the agreement, with Kyiv confirming the return of the same number of Ukrainian fighters. The remaining captives are scheduled to be exchanged on Friday.
The swap was agreed during last month’s talks in Geneva, which marked the third round of negotiations this year involving Russia, Ukraine, and the United States. Despite the agreement on POWs, discussions on territorial issues have hit a deadlock. Kyiv has refused to hand over areas of the Donetsk region that are not under Russian control, rejecting pressure from Washington to reach a deal.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has emphasized that ending the war remains his top priority, and Kyiv intends to continue diplomatic efforts despite the stalled negotiations.
Analysts note that global energy markets could influence the dynamics of the conflict. Rising energy prices driven by the ongoing war in Iran are boosting Russia’s revenue from energy exports, providing additional resources to sustain its military operations in Ukraine.
The POW exchange, while a humanitarian step, underscores the ongoing complexities and unresolved issues in the four-year conflict.
