Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has announced that preparations are underway for a prisoner exchange involving 1,000 individuals from each side. The Russian government has already received the lists of prisoners involved in this exchange.
Zelensky indicated that the United States has taken on the responsibility of ensuring the agreements are fulfilled. Ongoing discussions with U.S. officials are focused on the guarantees related to the recently established terms.
“We are currently in contact with the American side regarding the guarantees for the agreements that were recently reached, as mentioned by the President of the United States. The prisoner exchange of 1,000 for 1,000 is being prepared and is expected to take place. These guarantees have been assumed by the Americans,”
the President stated.
He added that the Ukrainian Coordination Headquarters has already submitted the lists of prisoners to the Russian side. Zelensky reiterated that American mediation played a crucial role in this agreement, expressing hope that the U.S. will actively ensure its implementation.
It is worth noting that on May 8, U.S. President Donald Trump announced that, at his request, Ukraine and Russia had agreed to a three-day ceasefire from May 9 to May 11, which also included the prisoner exchange of 1,000 individuals.
That evening, Zelensky confirmed the information. However, Russian President Vladimir Putin later claimed that Russia had initially proposed a 500-for-500 exchange, suggesting that Ukraine was unprepared for this arrangement. Putin alleged that Kyiv had indicated they would consider the proposal but then “disappeared from the radar.”
Sources indicate that Russia is attempting to complicate the prisoner exchange process, not so much undermining commitments to Kyiv as to the United States.
Ukrainian President Zelensky has confirmed plans for a significant prisoner exchange with Russia, facilitated by U.S. guarantees. Ongoing negotiations aim to ensure the successful implementation of this agreement.