In a rare moment of hope with the ongoing war, Russia and Ukraine Agree to Largest Prisoner Swap Since 2022, But Ceasefire Remains Elusive. In the Istanbul peace talks Russia and Ukraine have agreed to the largest prisoner exchange since the full-scale invasion began in February 2022. During high-stakes Istanbul peace talks on May 16, 2025, Russia and Ukraine consented to swap 1,000 prisoners each a significant humanitarian breakthrough in an otherwise deadlocked conflict.