Overview
- National Security and Defense Council Secretary Rustem Umerov announced in Istanbul that he is working to unblock prisoner exchanges with Russia.
- Umerov said meetings will take place in Turkey in the coming days with the goal of resuming swaps.
- Negotiations have not produced an exchange for more than a month, reflecting a broader stall in talks.
- More than 2,500 Ukrainian service members are reportedly still in Russian captivity.
- Kyiv’s proposed all-for-all swap has been rejected by Moscow, as officials and rights observers continue to accuse Russia of abusing POWs in violation of international law.