Russia and Ukraine agree prisoner swap following peace talks as Putin's negotiator proposes 'limited ceasefire'
2 June 2025, 16:07 | Updated: 2 June 2025, 17:27
Russia and Ukraine have agreed a prisoner swap following peace talks as Putin's negotiator 'suggesting limited ceasefire'.
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The countries agreed on a prisoner swap after peace talks in Istanbul.
Vladimir Putin's negotiator said Moscow proposed a short ceasefire in certain areas.
Meanwhile, Ukraine handed Russia a list of 'abducted' children it wants returned as peace talks come to an end.
According to Ukrainian officials, hundreds of children were forcibly removed from Ukrainian territory by Russian forces - Ukraine wants them returned as part of the peace deal.
The Ukrainian president's chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, said: "These are hundreds of children who Russia has illegally deported, forcibly relocated or is holding in temporarily occupied territories."
It's understood the prisoner swap will focus on the severely injured and young people - according to Ukraine's defence minister Rustem Umerov.
The last round of talks in Istanbul saw Ukraine and Russia agree to exchange 1,000 prisoners of war each - which was completed last month.
However, Moscow continues to reject an unconditional ceasefire.
I met in Vilnius with President of Lithuania @GitanasNauseda.
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) June 2, 2025
I informed him about the second round of negotiations that took place today in Istanbul. As long as there are no meaningful signals from Russia about ending the war, it is crucial to strengthen our defense and… pic.twitter.com/I17xvl1Puy
Zelenskyy said on X that he met the president of Lithuania in the country's capital of Vilnius, and added: "I informed him about the second round of negotiations that took place today in Istanbul.
"As long as there are no meaningful signals from Russia about ending the war, it is crucial to strengthen our defense and especially to invest in Ukrainian production."
In another post, the Ukrainian leader said: "Strong decisions are needed. Decisions for Europe, not for Putin.
"We all need to work together to make this really happen. And it’s doable."
Zelenskyy continued that "Ukraine is doing its part" and expressed his gratitude for "all partners who are doing theirs".
"We must act as one united Euro-Atlantic community," he added.
"The NATO Summit in June is the right place and the right time to send a clear message – Russia will not get anything from this war."
![Sir Keir Starmer has called on Vladimir Putin to "stop dragging his heels and get to the [negotiating] table", as Trump calls the Russian president "misguided."](https://images.lbc.co.uk/images/734580?width=320&crop=16_9&format=webp&signature=hCtUT-QBb1QuxMxVTF6Ch2nl6Ow=)
