Russia says new prisoner swap with Ukraine under 'active' discussion

Russia and Ukraine are engaged in active talks to arrange a new exchange of prisoners of war, according to a senior Russian official. The announcement signals ongoing, albeit limited, diplomatic contact between the warring nations on humanitarian issues.

Details of the proposed exchange

Russian Human Rights Commissioner Tatyana Moskalkova revealed the discussions on Tuesday while presenting her annual report to parliament. "There is an ongoing active discussion on the number of individuals who will be involved in the exchange, as well as organizational issues. I hope that this will take place soon," she stated. The last major prisoner swap took place in October, with each side repatriating 185 individuals.

A proposal for a humanitarian corridor

Beyond the prisoner exchange, Moskalkova proposed establishing a dedicated checkpoint on the Russia-Ukraine border for family reunification. She highlighted the plight of Russian citizens stranded in Ukraine with expired passports, unable to leave via third countries due to the absence of diplomatic relations. "Perhaps we should discuss whether it would be possible to open one crossing point specifically for Russian citizens who wish to visit their relatives," she said, noting her office has helped over 50 families reunite in the past year.

Historical context of past agreements

The framework for prisoner exchanges was largely established during negotiations held in Istanbul earlier in the conflict. Those talks yielded agreements for large-scale swaps, including a discussed "1,000 for 1,000" exchange and deals for the mutual return of soldiers' remains. Ukraine has not yet publicly responded to Moskalkova's latest comments regarding the current negotiations.