OMM Newsroom
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said a large-scale prisoner exchange involving 1,000 or possibly 1,500 people from each side was discussed during trilateral talks with Russia and the United States in Abu Dhabi, Anadolu Agency reported.
Speaking to reporters in Denmark on Tuesday, Zelenskyy said the possibility of an exchange had been raised and that US representatives would take the proposal to Russia.
“We discussed the possibility of an exchange. They want to do 1,000 for 1,000, maybe 1,500 for 1,500. Some kind of large-scale exchange. The Americans will go to Russia with this agenda,” he said.
Zelenskyy said the Russian delegation raised territorial issues, but reiterated that such matters should be addressed at the leaders’ level.
He accused Moscow of presenting an inaccurate picture of the battlefield, saying Russian representatives had claimed to control half of the Donbas region despite Ukrainian forces maintaining positions there. Zelenskyy also questioned whether Russian President Vladimir Putin was receiving accurate information about developments on the battlefield.
The sides were to discuss de-escalation measures, energy issues, the situation in the Black Sea, a possible prisoner exchange and the prospect of a trilateral meeting of leaders, possibly on Wednesday, he said.
Zelenskyy stressed the importance of European participation in the negotiations, saying Ukraine sought to develop a common position with the European Union and the United States.
Asked whether the latest negotiations could produce a different outcome from previous diplomatic efforts, he said: “We don’t trust, but we hope.”
He said further pressure on Russia was necessary: “We need more pressure, less business with these guys.”
A new round of US-mediated peace talks between Russia and Ukraine began in the Emirati capital earlier on Tuesday and was due to resume on Wednesday.
Moscow and Kyiv last held US-mediated peace talks earlier this year, with three rounds taking place on Jan. 23-24, Feb. 4-5 and Feb. 17-18. The first two were held in Abu Dhabi, while the third took place in Geneva.
