Zelenskyy says next stages of prisoner swap are in preparation, work on lists ongoing

May 16, 2026 - 17:10

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said that work is ongoing on drawing up lists for the next stage of a prisoner swap under the thousand-for-thousand agreement.

Source: Zelenskyy's evening address

Quote: "We're also not stopping in terms of ensuring the next stages of the exchanges happen. This week, the first stage of the 1,000-for-1,000 POW exchange took place.

We are preparing the next stages. Work on the lists and all necessary approvals is ongoing.

I thank everyone involved. We must bring Ukrainians home from captivity. And we must continue strengthening our ties with the world, our state, and our people."

Previously: On 15 May, Ukraine and Russia carried out a prisoner exchange in which 205 Ukrainian citizens were brought back.

Background:

US President Donald Trump announced a three-day ceasefire in the Russia-Ukraine war on 8 May.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed Trump's announcement about the ceasefire with Russia on 9-11 May and announced a thousand-for-thousand prisoner exchange.
On 12 May, Ukrainian Human Rights Commissioner Dmytro Lubinets said that Ukraine's negotiating team had submitted exchange lists long ago, but Russia had been dragging out the process while blaming Ukraine.