In a significant development, Russia and Ukraine have agreed to exchange 1,000 prisoners of war from each side during their first direct peace talks in three years, held in Istanbul. The negotiations, which lasted under two hours, saw both delegations engage in discussions but ultimately fail to reach a comprehensive ceasefire agreement. Ukrainian officials expressed concerns regarding unacceptable demands made by Russia, while Moscow officials stated they were satisfied with the talks and were willing to continue discussions. This prisoner swap marks the largest exchange since the beginning of the conflict, reflecting ongoing tensions amid attempts at peacemaking.