Kyiv: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has announced that Kyiv is actively working on finalizing a list of prisoners for an upcoming exchange with Russia, a decision reached during recent talks held in Trkiye last month.

According to Anadolu Agency, this development follows a meeting between Zelenskyy, National Security and Defense Council Secretary Rustem Umerov, and the head of the Presidential Office, Andriy Yermak. The meeting focused on implementing agreements from the Turkish metropolis of Istanbul, where Moscow and Kyiv conducted their third round of renewed peace talks on July 23. During these talks, Ukraine proposed a high-level meeting before the end of August, and both parties agreed to continue exchanging prisoners of war.

Vladimir Medinsky, head of Russia's delegation at the talks, confirmed at a press conference that both sides completed a prior exchange involving 1,200 prisoners of war each. He also announced an agreement for a new prisoner swap in the same format. Zelenskyy stated on X that a key focus is continuing POW exchanges, with an agreement in place to exchange 1,200 individuals, and that work on the lists is ongoing. Umerov, who led Ukraine's delegation at the Istanbul talks, provided updates on communications with the Russian representative.

Zelenskyy also mentioned efforts to facilitate the return of Ukrainian civilians and verify information on each individual. Additionally, Yermak reported on Ukraine's coordination with its partners, particularly the US, to support Kyiv's diplomatic initiatives.

The latest talks follow two prior rounds between Russia and Ukraine in Trkiye, on May 16 and June 2, which revived peace negotiations that had been stalled since March 2022, also held in Istanbul.