Donald Trump/ Photo: REUTERS
On 23 May 2025, Ukraine and Russia began the largest prisoner exchange in the history of war in the format of “1000 for 1000”, which will last for several days. This event was made possible in large part by the active diplomatic role of US President Donald Trump, who not only announced the agreement but also personally facilitated its implementation. His efforts underscore the United States’ unwavering support for Ukraine on humanitarian and political issues, strengthening America’s position as a key ally in Ukraine’s fight for freedom.
Large-scale exchange: details and implications
According to RBK-Ukraine, the prisoner exchange began on 23 May at the Belarusian-Ukrainian border and will last three days. The Dozhd TV channel, citing the I Want to Live project, confirmed the active phase of the process. This is the first exchange of this scale since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, making it a historic event.
Both sides had carefully prepared for the exchange. On 22 May, Ukraine and Russia exchanged lists of names, as noted by the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War. The head of the Presidential Office, Andriy Yermak, stressed that Ukraine had completed all the preparatory steps, while Defence Minister Rustem Umerov said that the agreement was the result of the strict implementation of President Zelensky’s directives.
Donald Trump: the architect of a diplomatic breakthrough
US President Donald Trump became the first Western leader to publicly announce the upcoming exchange, making a statement on Truth Social: “A major prisoner exchange between Russia and Ukraine has just been finalised. It will take effect shortly. I congratulate both sides on these negotiations. Can this lead to something great?” His words not only drew the world’s attention to this initiative, but also highlighted his personal involvement in the process.
Trump played a central role in the diplomatic efforts that preceded the exchange. On 19 May, he held a two-hour phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin and also spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. These talks were part of the Trump administration’s broader strategy to support humanitarian initiatives and seek ways to de-escalate the situation. According to sources, Trump personally insisted on speeding up the exchange, which helped overcome delays on the Russian side.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio also praised Trump’s contribution, calling the exchange “a good outcome that the president has been seeking since the first days of his term”. Rubio stressed that Trump sees this event not only as a humanitarian gesture, but also as a potential step towards a broader dialogue, although Russia has not yet demonstrated readiness for serious ceasefire talks.
Istanbul talks: a platform for success
The exchange was made possible by talks in Istanbul on 16 May 2025, which were the first direct contact between Ukraine and Russia in three years. The Ukrainian delegation was headed by Rustem Umerov, while the Russian delegation was led by Russian presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky. Despite Russia’s low level of representation and its attempts to impose unacceptable conditions, such as the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from the occupied territories, an agreement on the exchange was reached.
Trump actively supported these talks through a trilateral meeting with delegations from Ukraine, the US and Turkey, which preceded the Ukraine-Russia dialogue. His administration worked closely with Turkey, which provided a neutral platform for the talks. It was thanks to Trump’s persistence that the humanitarian issue of prisoner exchange became a priority, which allowed a compromise to be reached.
Significance for Ukraine and the world
This exchange is an important humanitarian achievement that will bring home thousands of Ukrainian and Russian prisoners. President Zelenskyy called it the only real result of the Istanbul talks, stressing that Ukraine had rejected any attempts by Russia to impose unacceptable conditions. At the same time, the release of civilian prisoners, estimated to be around 7,000 in Russia, remains a challenge, as international law prohibits the capture of non-combatants.
Commenting on the exchange, Trump expressed hope that it could be “the beginning of something great”. His vision goes beyond the humanitarian aspect: the US president wants to use this success as a basis for further negotiations that could bring the region closer to stability.
Instead of a conclusion
The large-scale 1000-for-1000 prisoner exchange was a historic event that underscores Ukraine’s commitment to humanitarian principles and willingness to engage in dialogue for the sake of its citizens. However, the key figure in this process is US President Donald Trump, whose diplomatic efforts, direct talks with leaders and public support made the exchange a reality. Thanks to Trump, Ukraine not only received the opportunity to return its defenders, but also a powerful signal of unwavering US support. This event, backed by Turkey’s international mediation, may open the door to new initiatives, although the road to peace remains difficult.
Sources: RBC-Ukraine, Espresso.TV, Radio Liberty, European Pravda
Author: Marianna Nyzhnia
