Ukraine and Russia made the biggest prisoner swap since the start of Russia's all-out invasion in February 2022 on May 23, 2025, representing a brief moment of concord between warring parties. In the exchange, 1,000 prisoners of war from both sides were released as negotiations held in Istanbul last week saw the two sides reach an agreement. While the exchange provides some hope for families and a step in the direction of de-escalation, it also highlights the profound divisions that have been driving the conflict thus far. A closer examination of this historic exchange and its wider implications follows.
A Long-Awaited Exchange
The prisoner exchange, billed by Ukrainian officials as the most important since hostilities started, was the result of hard negotiations brokered by Turkey. The negotiations, conducted on May 16 in a palace from the Ottoman era located on the shores of the Bosphorus, were the first face-to-face encounter between Ukrainian and Russian delegations since March 2022. Though only 90 minutes long and providing no advances on a ceasefire, the agreement to swap 1,000 prisoners from each side was a concrete achievement, according to Ukraine's Deputy Foreign Minister, Serhiy Kyslytsya. The exchange started on Friday, with unofficial reports indicating that the three-day process could take place along the Belarusian border.
A varied group of hostages was involved in the exchange. The 1,000 Ukrainians released were found by the coordination headquarters for prisoners of war to include 700 servicemen and 300 civilians, most of whom were taken since the commencement of the invasion. Among them were troops who participated in the most important battles, including the defense of Mariupol's Azovstal steel factory, the Chernobyl exclusion zone, and Snake Island—symbolic locations of Ukrainian resistance. Russia, for its part, confirmed the return of 1,000 of its troops, including servicemen detained during Ukraine's recent offensive on Russian territory in Russia's Kursk region. The Russian defense ministry said that the released soldiers were undergoing medical examination and psychological counseling in Belarus before going home.
A Uncommon Moment of Cooperation
The exchange is not only unusual in size but also because it involved civilians, a first in the number. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy welcomed the exchange as a "victory for humanity," highlighting the return of civilians as much as soldiers. “We are working tirelessly to bring every Ukrainian home,” Zelenskyy said in a Telegram post, sharing images of emotional reunions in the Chernihiv region. Families gathered with banners and photos, hoping to see their loved ones among the released. One mother, Natalia, told the BBC she had waited three years for her son, captured in Severodonetsk, to return, her hope unwavering despite the uncertainty.
The exchange, brokered by Turkey, was welcomed by U.S. President Donald Trump, who wrote on Truth Social, "Just completed a big prisoners swap between Russia and Ukraine. This could lead to something big??? " Trump's enthusiasm captures global aspirations that the exchange will open the door to greater negotiations.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, who presided over the Istanbul discussions, referred to the exchange as a "confidence-building measure," although he recognized the ongoing problems in reaching a more comprehensive peace accord.
The Wider Background: A Conflict Very Far from an End
Although the exchange was successful, underlying tensions between Russia and Ukraine are as strong as ever. The Istanbul negotiations revealed irreconcilable differences, as Ukraine accused Russia of posing "unacceptable demands," including a withdrawal of troops from its territory as a quid pro quo for a ceasefire. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, speaking on Friday, indicated that there would be a second round of talks, but he again repeated unfounded accusations regarding Zelenskyy's legitimacy, indicating Moscow's unwillingness to enter into serious peace talks. The conflict, which enters its fourth year, keeps claiming a high price. Belgorod and other border areas were hit by recent Russian missile and drone attacks, killing dozens. At the same time, the counteroffensives by Ukraine, including its incursion into Kursk, have been intended to regain lost territory and put pressure on Moscow but territorial advances remain modest.
The prisoner exchange, though a humanitarian gain, does not do much to confront the underlying issues fueling the war: Russia's desire for territory and Ukraine's struggle for autonomy.
A Step Forward or a Fleeting Gesture?
For others, the trade is a fleeting glimmer of optimism. The freeing of 1,000 prisoners on both sides—particularly the fact that civilians were included—is a reminder that even in the midst of conflict, there can be humanitarian understanding. But the deal also underscores the depth of the crisis: thousands of other prisoners are still being held, and the failure to make progress toward a ceasefire means that such trades can be isolated actions and not leading steps to sustainable peace. International onlookers are guardedly hopeful. The participation of the UAE and Turkey, which brokered earlier exchanges, highlights the significance of third-party brokers in bringing about negotiations. Nevertheless, while Russian President Vladimir Putin is accused by European leaders of delaying peace negotiations to secure military gains, the journey towards a wider resolution continues to be clouded. For today's reunited families, the exchange is a family victory, but for Russia and Ukraine, the war—and its human toll—rages on.
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