Ukrainian President Zelenskyy Visits Front Line Amid Prisoner Swap with Russia

Ukraine and Russia Complete Prisoner-of-War Swap Amid Ongoing Peace Talks.

A two-day prisoner-of-war swap between Ukraine and Russia has been completed, with each side exchanging 500 soldiers. The exchange, which included the release of 200 soldiers on Thursday and another 300 on Friday, was facilitated by US-brokered peace negotiations. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited the eastern front line to oversee the exchange, where dozens of men were seen stepping off buses and being greeted by border guards.

The swap comes as peace talks between Ukraine, Russia, and the US remain stalled due to escalating conflict in the Middle East. A planned trilateral meeting was postponed earlier this week. Zelenskyy stated that he had visited positions near Druzhkivka and Kostiantynivka in the eastern Donetsk region, where Russian forces have massed before an anticipated spring offensive.

US special envoy Steve Witkoff credited the swap to “sustained and detailed peace discussions” held in Geneva. He noted that discussions remain ongoing and additional progress is expected in the coming weeks. Zelenskyy also visited soldiers from the 28th separate mechanised brigade, where he emphasized the importance of their efforts in strengthening Ukraine’s position in future peace talks.

Talks between Ukraine and Russia are expected to resume in Abu Dhabi between March 5 and 9. However, a recent escalation in conflict in Iran has prompted postponement of these talks. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy stated that there were not yet sufficient signals for a trilateral meeting due to the ongoing situation.

Source: Al Jazeera