Russia and Ukraine finally agree on something. President Donald Trump’s Tuesday call with Vladimir Putin appears to have resulted in the two sides agreeing to a prisoner swap.
At a glance:
• Russia and Ukraine will exchange 175 prisoners each on Wednesday
• The announcement followed a call between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump
• This marks the latest in a series of 60 prisoner exchanges since the war began in February 2022
• Putin has pledged to return 23 severely wounded Ukrainian soldiers receiving treatment in Russian facilities
• The exchange is viewed as a potential step toward peace negotiations and conflict de-escalation
Trump-Putin Call Leads to Breakthrough Deal
Russia and Ukraine have agreed to exchange 175 prisoners of war each this Wednesday, and we can thank President Trump for making it happen.
The announcement comes on the heels of a crucial phone call between Russian President Vladimir Putin and the US President, proving that America can still make things happen.
The Kremlin confirmed the exchange details in an official readout of the call, stating, “Vladimir Putin said that on March 19, the Russian and Ukrainian sides would exchange prisoners — 175 for 175 people.”
Beyond the even exchange, Russia has also pledged to return 23 severely wounded Ukrainian soldiers currently receiving medical treatment in Russian facilities. This humanitarian gesture comes as both sides seek to reduce the human toll of a conflict that has dragged on for over two years.
History of Prisoner Exchanges
Since the war began in February 2022, there have been 60 prisoner exchanges between Russia and Ukraine, with the most recent occurring in December. That previous swap, mediated by the United Arab Emirates, saw 189 Ukrainians returned, including two civilians from the besieged city of Mariupol.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy previously celebrated the December exchange, stating, “The return of our people from Russian captivity is always very good news for each of us. And today is one of such days: our team managed to bring 189 Ukrainians home.”
Ukrainian officials report that 3,956 people have been released by Moscow through various deals since the conflict began. Despite these exchanges, countless prisoners remain in custody on both sides, with Zelenskyy vowing to continue efforts to secure their release.
Path to Peace Negotiations
Experts view the prisoner exchange as a confidence-building measure that could facilitate future peace negotiations. The deal represents a rare moment of agreement between Moscow and Kyiv in a conflict that has seen little diplomatic progress under the previous administration.
President Trump has repeatedly stated his intention to end the Ukraine conflict quickly, claiming he could broker peace within 24 hours of taking office. This prisoner exchange, coming so early in his administration, may indicate his administration’s effectiveness in direct negotiations with Putin.
The humanitarian aspects of the agreement highlight the priority both sides are placing on their citizens’ wellbeing despite ongoing military operations.
This is great progress, but Ukraine and Russia now need to agree on terms for a full ceasefire. At present, the two sides have only agreed not to target energy infrastructure.
Let’s see how the next week pans out…