Russian invasion

Negotiations
The outcome of the talks: A new prisoner exchange

The delegations of Ukraine and Russia have concluded their third round of talks in Istanbul. They lasted less than an hour, according to Ukrainian Suspilne.

The countries agreed on a prisoner exchange of 1,200 prisoners each, according to the head of the Russian delegation, Vladimir Medinsky, according to AFP. Prisoner exchanges are said to have taken place as early as Wednesday, according to both sides.

Otherwise, no progress or agreements are reported. The head of the Ukrainian delegation says that a meeting between Zelensky and Putin was proposed in August. In that case, this would only aim to sign documents – it is unclear which ones – and not to discuss, according to Medinsky.

Russia also proposed a series of short ceasefires, which Ukraine dismisses as “ungenious”.

According to Medinsky, the countries are “quite far apart” in terms of the path to peace.

Both delegations arrive in Istanbul for peace talks

Both Russian and Ukrainian delegations are said to have arrived in Istanbul for the third round of peace talks, international news agencies report. The talks will begin at 6 p.m. Swedish time, according to Reuters.

The Russian delegation, again led by Vladimir Medinskyj, landed at around 2:40 p.m. Swedish time, state-owned media reported. A Ukrainian source told AFP that the big question is whether the Russians have brought a constructive side.

“That will determine whether we can achieve any results during this meeting,” the source said.

The latest negotiations between Russia and Ukraine did not end in a ceasefire agreement, but in the largest prisoner exchange since the war began. Donald Trump has threatened renewed sanctions against Russia if a ceasefire is not reached soon.

The world's response
US approves $322 million worth of weapons for Ukraine

The US on Wednesday approved the sale of weapons and defense equipment to Ukraine worth $322 million, equivalent to over three billion kronor, AFP reports.

The sale concerns the MIM-23 Hawk air defense system and the Bradley fighting vehicle.

The Hawk systems and their maintenance will cost up to $172 million, while the Bradley equipment will cost up to $150 million, according to the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency.