 "‘All for all:’ Zelenskyy proposes prisoner swap with Russia to start peace talks, hopes war to end ‘this year’")
Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Monday (February 24) proposed an “all for all” swap of prisoners of war with Russia to mark the “start” of the peace process. His proposal came on the day of third anniversary of the Russia-Ukraine war imposed by Russia’s Vladimir Putin in 2022.
While addressing a summit in Kyiv to mark the invasion’s anniversary, Zelenskyy said Russia must release all prisoners and Ukraine was also willing to do the same.
“Russia must release Ukrainians. Ukraine is ready to exchange all for all, and this is a fair way to start,” Zelenskyy was quoted as saying by news agency AFP.
‘The war should end this year’
The Ukrainian leader also hoped that the three-year-old war with Russia would end this year . Responding to a reporter’s question, Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he hopes to finish war ‘this year’.
The sentiment was echoed by Canada PM Justin Trudeau. He said Canada will continue to support Kyiv until the war ends and Ukraine wins.
“It is very much my hope that this war won’t last another year,” he told a televised press conference.
Zelenskyy also said that this year should be the beginning of a real and lasting peace in Ukraine.
Russia puts ‘terms and conditions’
Meanwhile, speaking in Turkey’s Ankara, Russia Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Monday Russia will only agree to a ceasefire in Ukraine if negotiations yield a “sustainable result” that meets its leadership’s demands.
His statement comes as the White House suggested a peace deal with Russia could be reached this week.
“The president (Vladimir Putin) has clearly said that we are ready to negotiate with Ukraine, with Europe, and with any representatives who, in a spirit of goodwill, would like to help achieve peace,” Lavrov claimed.
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More Shorts“But we will cease hostilities only when these negotiations produce a firm, sustainable result that suits the Russian Federation. Of course, the realities on the ground must be considered,” Lavrov added.
‘Mineral deal in final stages’
In a related development, a senior Ukrainian minister earlier in the day claimed that the proposed economic deal with US was in the final stages, with “nearly all key details finalized.” It was revealed by Ukraine’s Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration and Justice Minister Olha Stefanishyna earlier today.
“We are committed to completing this swiftly to proceed with its signature,” Stefanishyna wrote on X.
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