President Zelensky conducts a detailed review of the “1000 for 1000” exchange: focus on lists and procedural coordination with Russia
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky recently held another meeting to prepare for a large-scale prisoner exchange with Russia in the “1000 for 1000” format, which is one of the key directions of the country's diplomatic and humanitarian activities during these difficult times. According to the head of state, this process is under his personal control and is carried out with maximum attention to each individual included in the lists submitted by the Russian side. In Zelensky's words, cooperation with the Russian side is currently focused on reviewing and verifying the lists to avoid any mistakes or surprises. The main goal is to ensure that each person listed truly deserves to be released and is safe. The president emphasized in his comments: “We are clarifying the details for each person submitted in the lists from the Russian side.” This indicates a comprehensive approach to the process, where each case, each surname, and every fact that could influence the final outcome is carefully considered. In previous negotiations, notably during the meeting in Turkey, preliminary agreements were reached regarding the release of 1,000 Ukrainians from captivity and, correspondingly, 1,000 Russians. This has become one of the primary objectives, which they aim to implement as quickly and effectively as possible. Within this effort, various diplomatic and security agencies are involved: the Main Intelligence Directorate, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), the Foreign Intelligence Service (SZR), the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and the team from the Office of the President. Ukraine’s Minister of Defense, Andriy Yermak, oversees security and logistical processes. According to official sources, the preparatory stage involves meticulous review of the lists, coordination of all details, and elimination of any risks. At the same time, various officials emphasize that the return of all those held in Russian captivity remains one of the Ukrainian authorities' top priorities. This is a strategic direction with both pragmatic and moral significance—restoring human dignity and family happiness for hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians who have been in captivity for a long time. Another important innovation in the context of the exchange is the discussion of scheduling, procedures, and implementation details. According to information provided by senior officials, the agreement on the “1000 for 1000” exchange was reached on May 16 during bilateral negotiations in Istanbul. It was during this meeting that the Russian and Ukrainian delegations discussed and approved the mechanism for simultaneous release and transfer of prisoners, clearly defining responsibilities and actions on both sides. With the start of the new week, on May 17, Ukrainian security and intelligence agencies intensified preparatory measures — a systematic effort began to implement the agreements, including forming and clarifying the lists of those to be exchanged. It is claimed that the process is now in its final stage, and the official operation can be expected to start soon. It is anticipated that next week the large-scale “1000 for 1000” exchange will become a reality, with Ukrainian and Russian officials beginning the implementation of the agreed plan. There is hope that this step will mark a significant milestone in the diplomatic relations between the two countries and have a positive impact on the psychological state of Ukrainians who have been in captivity or under occupation for a long time. For the Ukrainian authorities and the public, this process is not just a diplomatic operation but a deeply humanitarian mission that restores human lives and justice. At the same time, all risks and nuances of the negotiation process are being carefully considered, with experts from various structures thoroughly analyzing and verifying every detail. This exchange is expected to be the first step toward further releases of prisoners and political detainees, as well as a means to restore Ukrainian unity and dignity in these challenging times.