Ukraine and Russia preparing largest prisoner-of-war exchange, Zelensky says
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on November 12 that Ukraine and Russia are preparing what he described as their largest exchange of prisoners of war. He made the announcement after meeting US presidential representatives Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff in Dublin.
Key points
- Zelensky announced the prisoner exchange on November 12.
- The exchange was described by Zelensky and Kushner as the largest yet.
- Ukraine and Russia are preparing to conduct the exchange.
- Kushner said negotiators had finally resolved the outstanding issues.
- Kushner expected thousands of people to reunite with their families.
- The announcement followed Zelensky's meeting with Kushner and Witkoff in Dublin.
Why it matters
The planned exchange is expected to return Ukrainian prisoners of war to Ukraine. Kushner said it could reunite thousands of people with their families.
What happened
Zelensky announced the planned exchange after meeting Kushner and Witkoff in Dublin. He said the American representatives had told him it would be the largest prisoner exchange, while the US delegation reported that its trip to Russia had produced an important result for organizing the exchange. Kushner said negotiators had finally resolved the remaining issues.
How Ukrainian sources describe it
Ukrainian reporting centered on Zelensky's announcement and described the planned exchange as the largest, emphasizing the expected return of Ukrainian prisoners of war and the role of Kushner and Witkoff in the negotiations.
How international sources describe it
The US side highlighted the reported progress in negotiations. Kushner said the outstanding issues had been resolved and expressed the expectation that thousands of people would reunite with their families.
Background
The announcement followed Zelensky's meeting with US presidential representatives Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff in Dublin and the American delegation's reported trip to Russia, which produced an important result concerning the organization of the exchange.