Rustem Umerov: A step-by-step plan for implementing the “1,000-for-1,000” prisoner-of-war exchange format has been approved

Ukraine’s Defence Minister Rustem Umerov, during a briefing to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, provided detailed information on the outcomes of the negotiations in Türkiye and outlined the next steps.

The briefing was also attended by Andrii Sybiha, Ukraine’s Foreign Minister, and Andriy Yermak, Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine.

“Despite the complexity and sensitivity of the dialogue in Istanbul, the Ukrainian delegation carried out its work within the set framework and in strict accordance with the directives defined by the President,” stated the Minister of Defence of Ukraine.

Notably, a key outcome of the negotiations is a preliminary agreement on a “1,000-for-1,000” prisoner-of-war exchange. This important exchange requires coordinated action by all relevant state institutions.

That is why, on the instructions of the Head of State, a meeting of the Coordinating Headquarters for Prisoners of War was held. All key institutions were involved, including the Ministry of Defence, the Main Intelligence Directorate, the Security Service of Ukraine, the Foreign Intelligence Service, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and the Ombudsman’s Office.