Zelenskyy visits front line as Ukraine and Russia swap 500 prisoners each

Completion of two-day POW exchange one of few tangible results as peace talks stall amid Middle East turmoil.Published On 6 Mar 2026Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he had visited the eastern front line as Ukraine and Russia ⁠completed a two-day prisoner-of-war swap, exchanging 500 soldiers each.The swap, which included the exchange of 200 soldiers each on Thursday and another 300 each on Friday, came as US-brokered peace negotiations remained deadlocked, with a planned trilateral meeting this week shelved due to the escalating conflict in the Middle East.Recommended Stories list of 2 itemslist 1 of 2‘We know Shaheds’: Inside Ukraine’s bid to support US in Iran attackslist 2 of 2Moscow sees significant rise in demand for Russian oil, gas amid Iran warend of listTwo Ukrainian civilians were also returned home.Video posted by Zelenskyy of the exchange showed dozens of men stepping off white buses, waving and embracing border guards. One soldier, phone to his ear, could be heard telling his mother: “I am at home. That’s it, I am home.”US special envoy Steve Witkoff credited the swap to “sustained and detailed peace discussions” held in Geneva under the direction of President Donald Trump, thanking Switzerland for hosting the negotiations.“Discussions remain ongoing,” Witkoff wrote, “with additional progress anticipated in the weeks ahead.”On Friday, Zelenskyy travelled to positions near Druzhkivka and Kostiantynivka in the eastern Donetsk region, where Russian forces have massed before an anticipated spring offensive, to visit soldiers from the 28th separate mechanised brigade.He told troops on the front line that their efforts were vital in strengthening Ukraine’s position in future peace talks.“The stronger we are in the eastern direction,” he told troops, “the stronger we are in the talks process.”However, talks expected to take place in Abu Dhabi between March 5 and 9 were postponed after US and Israeli strikes on Iran prompted retaliatory attacks across the Gulf.