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White House: mediators start work on biggest Ukraine–Russia prisoner swap since full-scale war began
Figures involved in past negotiations, Vitkoff and Kushner, have begun preparing the largest prisoner exchange between Ukraine and Russia since the start of the full-scale invasion, according to U.S. Deputy White House Press Secretary Anna Kelly. The effort could move a significant number of prisoners of war and detainees if it goes ahead.
Preparations are under way for what U.S. officials describe as the biggest prisoner swap between Ukraine and Russia since the start of the full-scale war.
Vitkoff and Kushner have begun work on the exchange, U.S. Deputy White House Press Secretary Anna Kelly said. She linked them to earlier mediation efforts and indicated that this planned swap would be larger than previous ones, though she did not give numbers or a date.
The prospective deal would involve prisoners of war held by both sides and may also include some civilian detainees, following patterns seen in earlier exchanges. There has been no immediate confirmation from Moscow or Kyiv.
Because talks over prisoners are sensitive, details often stay quiet until transfers are already in motion. Kelly’s public comments suggest Washington believes the process has moved beyond preliminary contacts, while still leaving room for setbacks.
A swap on the scale described would matter for the people in captivity and for their families, who watch prisoner lists closely. It would also show that, despite continued fighting, both governments still see value in negotiated humanitarian arrangements.
Signals that the process is advancing would include matching announcements from Ukrainian and Russian officials, reports of prisoners being moved toward exchange points, and any disputes over which categories of detainees are included in the final lists.