**Prisoner Swap Talks Intensify Between Ukraine and Russia Amid Ongoing Conflict**

As Ukraine and Russia prepare for a major prisoner swap, the details remain unclear, raising questions about the future of peace talks.

Ukraine and Russia are gearing up for what may be the largest prisoner exchange since the onset of the significant Russian invasion in 2022. Both nations reached an agreement to swap an equal number of 1,000 prisoners of war during recent discussions in Istanbul, which went on for only two hours as part of ongoing yet fruitless peace negotiations. Despite social media claims of the swap being completed by former US President Donald Trump, no official confirmations have been communicated by either side.

Reports suggest that the exchange is intended to unfold over three days at the Ukrainian border with Belarus, although specifics are still vague. These discussions marked the first direct contact between Russian and Ukrainian representatives since March 2022, and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov stated that further talks would commence, with Moscow preparing to present a "memorandum" to Ukraine.

Trump's recent remarks indicate that negotiations toward a ceasefire would soon begin, following his conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin. However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has accused Putin of stalling efforts to prolong the conflict. In international developments, Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni expressed support for Trump's proposal to involve the Vatican in mediating ceasefire talks, a notion Lavrov dismissed as impractical.

Amidst the backdrop of low-level dialogue, Lavrov reiterated claims questioning Zelensky's governance legitimacy and suggested that new elections might be necessary prior to any final peace agreements. He emphasized the need for a comprehensive and dependable peace accord, stressing the importance of ensuring security for Russia while continuing discussions with Ukraine. The complexities of the relationship between the two countries remain evident as they navigate these precarious negotiations.