What's happened
On June 26, 2025, Ukraine and Russia completed another round of prisoner exchanges, with Ukrainian President Zelensky announcing the return of soldiers held for over three years. The exchanges are part of ongoing negotiations, although ceasefire talks remain stalled.
What's behind the headline?
Key Insights
- Continued Negotiations: The exchanges indicate a willingness from both sides to engage in negotiations, despite the lack of progress towards a ceasefire.
- Humanitarian Concerns: The focus on returning wounded and young soldiers highlights the humanitarian aspect of the conflict, as both nations grapple with the toll of war on their populations.
- Political Implications: These exchanges may serve as a political tool for both governments, showcasing their commitment to their soldiers and potentially swaying public opinion.
- Future Outlook: As both sides remain firm on territorial demands, further exchanges may occur, but significant breakthroughs in peace talks seem unlikely in the near term.
What the papers say
According to The Moscow Times, Ukrainian President Zelensky shared images of returning soldiers, emphasizing the emotional impact of their release. Meanwhile, The New Arab noted that the exchanges did not advance ceasefire negotiations, with both sides maintaining their territorial claims. This contrast highlights the complex dynamics at play, where humanitarian gestures coexist with ongoing military objectives.
How we got here
The ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia has led to numerous prisoner exchanges since the war began in 2022. Recent negotiations have focused on releasing over 1,000 prisoners from each side, particularly those who are wounded or under 25 years old.
Go deeper
- What are the implications of these prisoner exchanges?
- How many soldiers have been exchanged so far?
- What are the next steps in the negotiations?
More on these topics
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Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe. It is the second-largest European country after Russia, which borders it to the east and northeast.
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Russia, or the Russian Federation, is a transcontinental country located in Eastern Europe and Northern Asia. Covering an area of 17,125,200 square kilometres, it is the largest country in the world by area, spanning more than one-eighth of the Earth's in