Russia and Ukraine have reached a significant agreement to carry out a 1,000-for-1,000 prisoner of war exchange, and are also exploring the possibility of a ceasefire and a future meeting between Presidents Volodymyr Zelensky and Vladimir Putin, negotiators from both sides announced on Friday.

Speaking in a televised statement, Russian presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky confirmed the upcoming prisoner exchange and described the discussions as a meaningful step toward easing tensions.

“In the coming days, there will be a large-scale exchange of prisoners, 1,000 for 1,000,” Medinsky said.
“The Ukrainian side has requested direct talks between the heads of state. We have taken note of this request. Both sides will now prepare and present their vision for a possible ceasefire.”

On the Ukrainian side, Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, who is also the country’s chief negotiator, confirmed the agreement and stated that a potential ceasefire and a meeting between the two leaders were discussed during the direct talks.

This announcement marks a rare moment of consensus between Moscow and Kyiv, following months of intense fighting and stalled diplomatic efforts. The exchange, if successfully implemented, would be one of the largest POW swaps since the start of the conflict.

While both sides emphasized that no final agreement has yet been reached on a ceasefire or a presidential summit, the willingness to engage in such dialogue signals a potential shift in the conflict’s trajectory.

More details on the logistics and timeline of the exchange are expected in the coming days.