Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 02:37pm on 23 May 2025,Friday International
On May 23, 2025, Russia and Ukraine carried out the largest prisoner exchange since the war began, each releasing around 1,000 detainees. This major development followed their first direct peace talks in nearly three years, hosted in Istanbul. Former U.S. President Donald Trump welcomed the exchange, calling it a potential breakthrough and pushing for a 30-day cease-fire. While Ukraine agreed to an unconditional cease-fire, Russia has not committed. The exchange highlighted ongoing humanitarian concerns, as many returning Ukrainian soldiers reported enduring starvation and torture during captivity. Thousands still remain in Russian detention. (Getty Images)
