In a spirited third round of peace talks at the majestic Ciragan Palace in Istanbul, Russian and Ukrainian delegations took a notable step forward with a massive prisoner exchange deal. Both sides agreed to swap around 1,200 prisoners of war, with Russia even proposing to exchange about 30 civilians held in Ukraine’s Kursk region. This move also included the return of the bodies of 7,000 fallen Ukrainian soldiers, underscoring the human cost of the conflict. 🤝
However, while the prisoner exchange marks progress, major differences remain on ceasefire terms. The Ukrainian delegation, led by Secretary Rustem Umerov, stressed that a full and unconditional ceasefire is essential. According to Umerov, an effective ceasefire should mean an immediate halt to strikes on civilian areas and critical infrastructure, forming the basic foundation for further peace negotiations. 🔥
On the other side, Russian presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky outlined proposals such as establishing three online working groups to tackle political, humanitarian, and military issues, and suggested short ceasefires of 24-48 hours to safely evacuate the wounded and recover bodies. Amid these discussions, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, who chaired the talks, urged both nations to engage in result-oriented negotiations aimed at ending the long-standing conflict.
Although previous talks in Istanbul successfully exchanged thousands of war prisoners and the bodies of fallen soldiers, a genuine and lasting ceasefire remains elusive. As negotiations continue, observers are keenly watching to see if these incremental steps can pave the way for a broader peace deal.
Stay tuned as we follow this unfolding story, hopeful that every step in dialogue brings us closer to lasting peace. 🕊️
Reference(s):
Russia, Ukraine agree on prisoner exchange, differ on ceasefire
cgtn.com
