Ukraine seeks to revive prisoner exchanges for 1,200 captives as mediation efforts resume and Russian strikes hit energy sites.
Ukraine is pursuing renewed negotiations with Russia to revive prisoner exchanges that could return up to 1,200 Ukrainian captives, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Sunday. “We are working to ensure another start to negotiations, so that after all there is a prospect to end this war,” he wrote on X, adding that Kyiv is “counting on the resumption of POW exchanges.”
Rustem Umerov, Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council, said he held consultations mediated by Turkey and the United Arab Emirates aimed at reactivating Istanbul-brokered agreements established in 2022. He said the parties agreed to move forward with technical talks, expressing hope that returning Ukrainians could “celebrate the New Year and Christmas holidays at home.” Moscow has not commented.
Separately, Finnish President Alexander Stubb warned that a ceasefire in Ukraine is unlikely before spring, urging Europe to maintain support despite political strains. Russian strikes meanwhile damaged energy infrastructure in Odesa as both sides reported overnight drone attacks.