Ukraine begins preparations for 1,000 for 1,000 POW exchange

He said this during a live telethon.

Regarding the lists of prisoners who will be released from Russian captivity, Budanov said that Ukraine will take whoever it can. According to him, the same applies to the release of Russian prisoners.

The head of the Main Intelligence Directorate does not see any major obstacles to carrying out the 1,000 for 1,000 POW  exchange.

At the same time, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) informed that it had already begun preparations for the exchange.

“The Joint Center for the Coordination of the Search and Release of Prisoners under the Security Service of Ukraine has already begun preparations for the exchange of 1,000 for 1,000 people,” the statement said.

In particular, the SBU is compiling a list of Russian military personnel held in Ukrainian captivity who could be transferred to Russia.

In addition, the Security Service of Ukraine, together with the Ministry of Health and all relevant structures of our country, is preparing to receive Ukrainian soldiers who are currently in Russian captivity. Among other things, the appropriate infrastructure, locations and medical personnel are being prepared for the admission, support, and rehabilitation of Ukrainian servicemen.

• On May 16, a trilateral meeting of delegations from Ukraine, the USA, and Turkey took place in Istanbul. After that, negotiations between the delegations of Russia and Ukraine were held. According to Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, issues discussed included the prisoner exchange in the format of 1,000 for 1,000, ceasefire, and a possible meeting between Zelenskyy and Putin.
• Zelenskyy stated that everyone in Istanbul saw the Russian delegation as weak and unprepared, lacking substantial authority.
• Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said that a meeting between the Russian ruler Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is possible, but only as a "result of work" after agreements are reached.