According to local media reports on Monday, Kyrylo Budanov, the chief of the Ukrainian Defence Ministry’s Main Intelligence Directorate, has revealed that Ukraine is in talks with Russia for a “all-for-all” prisoner exchange.

Budanov told RBC-Ukraine that the two countries are working towards an agreement that would result in the release of all captives held by both parties. He added that Russia has already released over 2,220 Ukrainian prisoners since the start of prisoner exchanges.

According to Ukrainian authorities, Ukraine and Russia have conducted more than 40 prisoner swaps since the first exchange in March 2022.

The potential “all-for-all” prisoner exchange could provide relief to the families of both countries’ prisoners. It would also indicate a potential easing of tensions between the two countries, which have been strained since Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014 and the ensuing conflict in eastern Ukraine.

However, significant obstacles must still be overcome before a final agreement can be reached. Both sides will need to trust and cooperate during the negotiations, and it remains to be seen whether Russia will agree to release all Ukrainian captives as part of the exchange.

Despite the difficulties, the prospect of a comprehensive prisoner exchange is a positive development, indicating that both sides are willing to engage in dialogue and work towards a peaceful resolution of the conflict.

Info source – Dimsum Daily