Russia Says It’s Still Open to Prisoner Exchange as Ukraine Accuses Political Games
Russia has declared its readiness to follow through on a prisoner of war (POW) exchange agreement with Ukraine, even as tensions rise over unmet commitments. The Kremlin insists that it is sticking to a deal made during peace negotiations in Istanbul on June 2, which outlines a major exchange involving at least 1,200 individuals, focusing on the most seriously wounded and youngest captives. The plan also includes the return of fallen soldiers to both sides.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov accused Ukraine of dragging its feet, claiming that Kyiv has presented “a hundred different excuses” to delay the process. “The Russian side remains ready to implement the agreements reached in Istanbul,” Peskov stated, expressing doubts about Ukraine’s sincerity.
Further pressure came from Kremlin aide Vladimir Medinsky, who said Russia had appeared at the agreed exchange location on Saturday with the remains of 1,212 Ukrainian soldiers. However, he said no Ukrainian representatives showed up. Medinsky also noted that Russia had already submitted a list of 640 Ukrainian POWs intended for the swap.
Ukraine pushed back on the claims, saying they had not received a full list of Russian prisoners in return. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy reiterated his government’s willingness to proceed with the exchange but warned against turning the issue into a political tool.
“The return of our heroes is not a bargaining chip,” Zelenskiy said, emphasizing the humanitarian importance of the agreement. He urged Russia to act sincerely rather than using POWs as leverage.
What is holding up the exchange?
While both sides publicly support the agreement, accusations from each camp suggest that trust remains fragile. Russia claims Ukraine is not showing up or honoring its part, while Ukraine argues that Russia is using misinformation and stalling tactics to create political pressure.
Final Thought:
The fate of over a thousand prisoners and the dignity of fallen soldiers now hinge on whether Russia and Ukraine can put aside their mutual distrust and carry out a long-promised humanitarian deal. As war continues, the pressure to follow through on this agreement is rising—especially for the families waiting on both sides.
