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Ukraine and Russia conduct massive prison swap as Trump praises the exchange: ‘This could lead to something big???’

ukraine-and-russia-conduct-massive-prison-swap-as-trump-praises-the-exchange:-‘this-could-lead-to-something-big???’
Ukraine and Russia conduct massive prison swap as Trump praises the exchange: ‘This could lead to something big???’

Ukraine and Russia conducted a massive prison swap Friday, a key breakthrough from their first direct talks in more than three years of war.

“A major prisoners swap was just completed between Russia and Ukraine. It will go into effect shortly,” President Trump confirmed in a Truth Social post just before 6 a.m.

“Congratulations to both sides on this negotiation,” he said of the exchange agreed last week in the first direct peace talks between the warring nations since the early weeks of Russia’s 2022 invasion.

Ukrainian servicemen from the 65th Separate Mechanized Brigade in training, using an AT4 NATO disposable Anti-Tank Missile Launcher, Zaporizhzhia region, Ukraine, 22 May 2025

The 65th Separate Mechanized Brigade of Ukrainian Armed Forces shows servicemen of the 65th Separate Mechanized Brigade passing military training with equipment. Press service of the 65th Mechanized Brigade/HANDOUT/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

President Donald Trump applauding at a MAHA Commission event in the East Room of the White House, acknowledging Russia and Ukraine on their prison exchange.

Trump congratulates Russia and Ukraine for completing a “massive” prison exchange. REUTERS

“This could lead to something big???” he suggested.

The warring nations each agreed to swap 1,000 prisoners during a tense, two-hour talk in Istanbul last week, which failed to reach an agreement on a ceasefire deal proposed by Trump.

Previous prisoner swaps have been mediated by the United Arab Emirates.

Ukrainian police officers from the White Angel unit evacuating an elderly man from his house in the frontline town of Pokrovsk

Members of the White Angel unit of Ukrainian police officers who evacuate people from the frontline towns and villages, evacuate an elderly man, from his house. REUTERS

A Ukrainian military source confirmed the exchange had started but was yet to be completed. Moscow did not immediately confirm the exchange was underway.

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