2,000 Prisoners of War to Be Released After Istanbul Peace Talks – Ukraine's Intelligence Chief Kyrylo Budanov

2,000 Prisoners of War to Be Released After Istanbul Peace Talks – Ukraine's Intelligence Chief Kyrylo Budanov

A major prisoner exchange between Ukraine and Russia — involving 1,000 prisoners from each side — could take place as early as next week, according to Ukraine’s intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov. Speaking to Ukrainian broadcaster TSN on Saturday, Budanov said, “I hope this will happen next week. Those who are coming back to us, we will bring them home. And those we have to return, we will return.”

Budanov confirmed this information, citing Interfax-Ukraine.

Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov also stated after the Istanbul meeting that both sides have reached a fundamental agreement on the framework and timeline for the exchange.

“We know the date, but we won’t reveal it just yet,” said Umerov. He also noted that the Ukrainian delegation conducted the talks under President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s directive, and that the negotiations included the possibility of a ceasefire.

Russia’s chief negotiator, Vladimir Medinsky, also confirmed that preparations are underway for a “1,000 for 1,000” prisoner exchange.

Vadym Skibitskyi, deputy head of Ukraine's military intelligence agency, confirmed that the formal process of bringing Ukrainian prisoners of war back home has already begun.

The meeting held on May 16 in Istanbul was part of Turkey’s mediation efforts aimed at ending the war, with a key focus on achieving humanitarian progress, especially in terms of a ceasefire and prisoner exchanges.