Assistant to the Russian President and head of the Russian negotiation delegation, Mezhinsky, stated on the 16th that Russia and Ukraine will soon return 1,000 captured personnel to each other.
This is the largest exchange of captured personnel to date.
Delegations from Russia and Ukraine held their first direct negotiations in three years in Istanbul, Turkey, on that day. The talks lasted nearly two hours. However, no breakthrough was achieved regarding Ukraine's top priority issue of a ceasefire.
This round of Russia-Ukraine negotiations was hosted by Turkish Foreign Minister Fidan and took place at the Presidential Office in Dolmabahce Palace, Istanbul.
Mezhinsky issued a statement after the negotiations, stating that Russia is generally satisfied with the results and is willing to continue contacts with Ukraine.
He indicated that the Ukrainian delegation proposed direct talks between the leaders of the two countries, and the Russian side is "already aware" of this.
Mezhinsky said that Russia and Ukraine have agreed to submit their detailed proposals for a future ceasefire.
Ceasefire Talks Unfruitful, Ukraine Joins West to Increase Sanctions on Russia
After the meeting, Ukrainian President Zelensky immediately held talks with US President Trump, as well as leaders from France, Germany, Poland, and other countries, to seek a coordinated stance.
He emphasized that if Russia refuses the unconditional 30-day ceasefire proposal, the West should impose "strong sanctions" on Russia.
According to a member of the Ukrainian delegation, the Russian delegation put forward demands including the withdrawal of Ukrainian forces from Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson regions as a prerequisite for a ceasefire.