Ukraine and Turkey discussed the exchange of prisoners with Russia and security coordination
Rustem Umerov, Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine, met in Ankara with Turkish ministers and an advisor to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to discuss the progress of the negotiation process and the issue of returning Ukrainian citizens from Russian captivity.
Umerov reported this on Telegram.
Umerov met with Turkish Defense Minister Yasar Guler, Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Head of the National Intelligence Organization Ibrahim Kalin, and Erdogan’s foreign policy advisor Akif Cagatay Kilic.
During the meetings, the parties discussed the security situation, the progress of the negotiation process, and coordination of further steps regarding common threats. Special attention was paid to humanitarian issues, particularly the return of Ukrainian prisoners of war and civilians. Umerov emphasized that this remains a priority and is constantly on the agenda.
The parties agreed on approaches to further cooperation, highlighting Turkey’s important role as a partner and a platform for dialogue. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy previously stated that Ukraine continues to hold important negotiations with several countries, including with the participation of the head of the Ukrainian negotiating team, Rustem Umerov, in Turkey.
Earlier, the head of the Office of the President, Kirill Budanov, expressed hope that a new prisoner exchange between Russia and Ukraine would take place on Easter, April 12. The Ukrainian side is preparing for this exchange and has done everything possible to make it happen; now everything depends on the actions of the Russian side.
