Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky emphasized that the United States remains active in diplomatic processes aimed at agreeing on a new configuration for prisoner exchanges between Ukraine and the Russian Federation. According to him, contacts between the countries are maintained at the “necessary level,” which allows for the advancement of the negotiation process.
This is reported by Finway
The Role of the USA in Mediating Negotiations and Exchange Mechanisms
Zelensky noted that the USA serves as a key mediator in the issue of prisoner exchanges. The Ukrainian side has already submitted the relevant lists and expects active involvement from American partners in implementing the agreements. In a statement following a meeting with National Security and Defense Council Secretary Rustem Umerov and representatives of US President Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, Zelensky underscored the importance of American support in this process.
“It is important that America remains engaged in diplomacy, and in particular has acted as a mediator in the issue of prisoner exchanges. Contacts are ongoing at the necessary level to agree on the configuration of the exchange. The lists have been submitted, and we expect that the American side will be active in ensuring the implementation of this agreement,” he wrote in a Telegram message after the report from National Security and Defense Council Secretary Rustem Umerov following the meeting with US President representatives Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.
Ceasefire, Prisoner Exchange, and Positions of the Parties
Zelensky also reported that possibilities for organizing meetings and negotiations at the highest level to end the war that Russia is waging against Ukraine were discussed in the USA. On May 8, US President Donald Trump announced an agreement on a three-day ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine – it was supposed to last on May 9, 10, and 11 and involved a cessation of hostilities and a prisoner exchange in the format of 1000 for 1000 individuals.
However, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated on May 9 that “no proposals” had been received from Kyiv regarding such an exchange. Putin also claimed that the Kremlin “never refused personal contacts” and invited Zelensky to Moscow.
On May 10, Zelensky reported ongoing consultations with the American side regarding guarantees for the implementation of agreements on prisoner exchanges. He expressed confidence that the USA would continue to ensure oversight of the implementation of the agreements reached, emphasizing that “these guarantees were taken on by the Americans.”