The peace negotiation meeting in Istanbul lasted just two hours.

During a meeting held in Istanbul on Friday, Russia and Ukraine agreed to exchange 1,000 prisoners of war from each side as soon as possible, which would make it the largest such swap since the start of the Ukrainian conflict in 2022.

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“That is the outcome of today’s meeting,” Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov said in a brief statement to the media at the end of the talks.

The head of the Ukrainian delegation said both sides have already set a date for the exchange but added he could not disclose it yet. Umerov said another topic discussed during the meeting was the possibility of declaring a cease-fire.

“All possible modalities were discussed. Now our colleagues are exchanging documents,” the Ukrainian minister said, referring to the technical personnel involved in the negotiations.

Umerov mentioned that the possibility of a meeting between Presidents Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Vladimir Putin was also discussed. Asked about next steps, Umerov said they will be announced once the prisoner exchange has taken place.

The Ukrainian minister explained that the participants in the Istanbul meeting did not address Russia’s demand that Ukraine relinquish all claims to the territory of the four regions that joined the Russian Federation.

Umerov also acknowledged that, under President Zelenskyy’s directive, the only items on Ukraine’s agenda were a cease-fire and the prisoner exchange.

teleSUR/ JF

Source: EFE

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