Russia and Ukraine begin prisoner swap congratulated by Trump

Russia and Ukraine each agreed at two hours of talks in Istanbul last week to swap 1,000 prisoners, but failed to agree to a ceasefire proposed by Trump.

Russia and Ukraine began a major prisoner swap Friday that was agreed at their first direct talks in more than three years, a Ukrainian military source said.

President Donald Trump said the prisoner exchange had already been completed but Kyiv and Moscow did not confirm this and the military source said the swap was still under way.

Russia and Ukraine each agreed at two hours of talks in Istanbul last week to swap 1,000 prisoners, but failed to agree to a ceasefire proposed by Trump. Previous prisoner swaps have been mediated by the United Arab Emirates.

President Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.Getty Images fileThe prisoner swap was the only concrete step towards peace the two sides agreed at their talks in Istanbul.

"Congratulations to both sides on this negotiation. This could lead to something big???," Trump said in a post on Truth Social.