Ukraine's negotiations with Turkey on prisoner exchange
Ukraine resumes negotiations with Turkey, the main topic of which is the prisoner exchange. The Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine, Rustem Umerov, is conducting relevant negotiations in Turkey. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky reported on planned meetings with national security advisors and military officials that are to take place in the coming days.
Planned meetings
Today, January 3, a meeting of national security advisors will take place in Ukraine. In turn, on January 5, a meeting of chief of general staffs is scheduled, and on January 6, a meeting at the level of leaders of European countries is planned. Volodymyr Zelensky emphasized that one of the key topics in negotiations with Turkey is the resumption of prisoner exchanges.
'Today Rustem Umerov is in meetings in Turkey: the Turkish Foreign Minister, then – intelligence. And we are making great efforts in the new year to resume exchanges, this is the key topic in the conversation with Turkey.'
— Volodymyr Zelensky
The President also emphasized the importance of security guarantees for Ukraine, stating that 'politically, almost everything is ready, and it is important to work out every detail about how guarantees will operate in the sky, on land, and at sea if we manage to end the war.'
Thus, Ukraine continues to actively work on the issue of prisoner exchanges, conducting negotiations at the international level, particularly with Turkey, which has significant strategic importance in the context of the current situation in the country. The resumption of prisoner exchanges is a critically important element not only for the humanitarian situation but also for political relations between Ukraine and Turkey. Today marks the 1408th day of the war, highlighting the duration of the conflict and its impact on people's lives.