A big-scale prisoner change involving 1,000 captives every from Ukraine and Russia could happen subsequent week, Ukrainian intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov stated Saturday following peace negotiations in Istanbul.
“I hope it will happen next week,” Budanov informed Ukrainian broadcaster TSN. “There will be an exchange — whoever we can take, we will take. And give it back in the same way,” he stated, that was cited by Interfax-Ukraine.
Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov additionally confirmed after the assembly that each side agreed in precept on the format and timing of the change.
“We know the date, but we won’t say it yet,” he stated, including that the Ukrainian delegation acted beneath a directive from President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and discussions included a attainable ceasefire.
Russian lead negotiator Volodymyr Medinsky stated preparations had been ongoing for the proposed “1,000 for 1,000” swap.
Vadym Skibitsky, deputy chief of Ukraine’s army intelligence, confirmed the official means of returning Ukrainian prisoners of battle had begun.
The May 16 Istanbul assembly was a part of Türkiye’s mediation efforts to finish the battle, specializing in humanitarian progress akin to a ceasefire and prisoner of battle preparations.
Source: www.anews.com.tr