On the third anniversary of the Russia-Ukraine war, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy proposed an “all for all” prisoner exchange with Russia. Speaking at a summit in Kyiv on Monday (February 24), he emphasized that releasing all captives would be a just way to start peace negotiations.
“Russia must release Ukrainians. Ukraine is ready to exchange all for all, and this is a fair way to start,” Zelenskyy stated.
Zelenskyy Hopes for War’s End in 2025
The Ukrainian leader also expressed optimism that the war could conclude this year. During a press briefing, he reaffirmed his commitment to achieving lasting peace.
His sentiment was echoed by Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who reiterated Canada’s continued support for Ukraine. “It is my hope that this war won’t last another year,” Trudeau said during a televised conference.
Russia Responds with Conditions
In response, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated that Russia would only agree to a ceasefire if the negotiations produced a “sustainable result” that met Moscow’s conditions. Speaking in Turkey, Lavrov emphasized that “hostilities will only cease when negotiations yield a firm and favorable outcome for Russia.”
Meanwhile, the White House hinted that a potential peace deal with Russia could be reached soon.
Ukraine-US Economic Deal in Final Stages
In a related development, Ukraine’s Deputy Prime Minister Olha Stefanishyna confirmed that the country’s economic agreement with the US was nearing completion.
“Nearly all key details have been finalized. We are committed to completing this swiftly,” she posted on X (formerly Twitter).
