Russia-Ukraine ready for largest prisoner exchange in history
Published: 10:22 AM, 13 November 2026
Moscow has agreed to a major prisoner swap between Russia and Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said it will be the largest planned prisoner swap between the two countries ever.
Zelensky made the remarks to reporters after meeting with US President Donald Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff and his son-in-law and special envoy Jared Kushner in Dublin, the capital of Ireland, on Thursday (November 12).
He said Russia had agreed to the prisoner exchange. In Zelensky's words, "This will be the largest exchange of prisoners of war ever. This is a real achievement. This is very important."
The Ukrainian president also noted progress made in recent talks held in the United Arab Emirates' capital, Abu Dhabi. According to him, the latest meeting has renewed hope for an end to the war.
Zelensky said that more meetings are scheduled on this issue. He believes that concrete progress should come from each round of talks. The Ukrainian president also emphasized that the talks should bring the two countries closer to ending the war.
He said that European representatives will also participate in the next talks, but they will not be involved as separate parties, but as members of the negotiating team.
Zelensky said, "Europe will also have an opportunity to give its opinion in the talks. This is important for us. Because the war is taking place on European soil and in the future we will be members of the European Union. Europe's participation is also very important for ensuring our prosperity and security."
Meanwhile, Trump's special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Thursday. The latest round of US-brokered peace talks to end the war in Ukraine concluded in Abu Dhabi a day earlier.
The news of the two sides agreeing to a prisoner exchange is seen as a significant development in ongoing peace talks. However, the date, number or detailed plan for the exchange has not yet been announced.
Source: Anadolu
