Istanbul
Russian dictator Vladimir Putin stated his readiness for contacts with Donald Trump, expressing respect for his initiatives to resolve the war in Ukraine. The Kremlin emphasizes the sincerity of Trump's efforts and is open to negotiations.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha stated that Russia at the negotiations in Istanbul sought to drag out the process, avoid sanctions, and oust the American side. This indicates problems in the Russian economy, despite their boastful statements.
Ukraine is working with allies, particularly the United States, to organize a meeting of leaders. The Ministry of Defense is also focusing on obtaining additional air defense systems and producing millions of drones.
Ukrainian servicemen released from Russian captivity burned the prison clothes they were given. Among those returned are fighters under 25 years old, seriously ill and seriously wounded, including defenders of Mariupol and National Guardsmen from the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant.
The head of the Main Intelligence Directorate, Kyrylo Budanov, announced a successful prisoner exchange, within which young, seriously ill, and wounded defenders were returned. He announced new good news regarding exchanges in the near future.
Ukraine has returned home a group of Defenders under the age of 25, defenders with injuries and health problems. The vast majority of those released were held in captivity for more than three years, including those captured during the defense of Mariupol.
Turkish President Erdogan stated that he is in constant dialogue with Ukraine and Russia to organize a third round of negotiations. Turkey strives for a just and lasting peace, prioritizing diplomacy.
Donald Trump is ready to visit the negotiations between Ukraine and Russia in Turkey. His participation depends on the presence of Vladimir Putin at these negotiations.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy shared details of his meeting with Donald Trump at the NATO summit, including discussions on prisoner and casualty exchanges. Zelenskyy said that Russia handed over the bodies of its dead to Ukraine, which are currently undergoing examination in Kyiv for identification.
Zelenskyy revealed details of the meeting with Trump in The Hague, which lasted about 50 minutes. The discussion included the purchase of air defense systems, co-production of drones, as well as the exchange of prisoners and the dead.
Head of the President's Office Andriy Yermak discussed with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio the preparations for a meeting between Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Donald Trump. The parties also touched upon issues of ceasefire, prisoner exchange, and the return of abducted children.
Petro Poroshenko, while in Turkey, gifted his children 1 million US dollars, as reflected in his declaration. The press service of "European Solidarity" confirmed the fact of the gift to the children but did not provide details regarding the purpose of the trip to Turkey.
The SBU prevented an assassination attempt on sniper Denys Yermak, brother of the head of the President's Office. The assassination was planned to be carried out by detonating an explosive device weighing 2.5 kg, made by an executor from Kharkiv.
Dmitry Peskov announced that clarity is expected this week regarding the third round of negotiations between Ukraine and Russia. He confirmed the fulfillment of previously reached agreements, including the exchange of prisoners and bodies of the deceased.
Donald Trump tried to arrange talks with Iran through the President of Turkey. However, the attempt failed because the supreme leader of Iran did not make contact.
Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi arrived in Istanbul to participate in the Organization of Islamic Cooperation meeting, which will discuss Tehran's conflict with Israel. Earlier, Araqchi stated that Iran would not resume nuclear negotiations until Israel's "aggression" ceases.
Today, June 20, Ukraine conducted a prisoner exchange, bringing home servicemen who have severe injuries or serious health problems, among them defenders of Mariupol. The oldest released is 60 years old, and all of them will receive necessary medical assistance and rehabilitation.
The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation claims another prisoner exchange with Ukraine allegedly took place today. According to their data, the exchange was carried out in accordance with agreements reached on June 2 in Istanbul.
Putin continues to believe in a war of attrition, betting on gradual troop advances. His theory of victory involves endless advances and Ukraine's inability to counterattack.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that the date for the third round of consultations between Russia and Ukraine could be agreed upon next week. The parties have already exchanged draft memorandums.
Ukraine conducted the 5th stage of the prisoner exchange, rescuing severely ill, seriously wounded, and young defenders. Work on further steps and the implementation of agreements reached in Istanbul is actively underway.
Ukraine is preparing a new stage of prisoner exchange with Russia. Recently, a group of severely wounded and seriously ill soldiers, most of whom are defenders of Mariupol, returned from Russian captivity.
The Russian delegation confirmed its readiness to arrive in Istanbul after June 22 to continue negotiations with Ukraine. It is planned to discuss the proposals submitted by the parties at the end of May and the beginning of June.
Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets and the State Border Guard Service showed a video of the first conversations of Ukrainian defenders after their liberation from Russian captivity. Most of the soldiers had been in captivity for over 3 years.
Putin announced his readiness to meet with Zelensky at the final stage of negotiations on Ukraine. According to him, Russia aims for the earliest possible peaceful settlement of the conflict.
It will take about 13-14 months to identify 6,060 bodies transferred to Ukraine by Russia under the Istanbul Agreements. All services are working in three shifts.
Repatriation efforts completed: 1,245 bodies have been returned to Ukraine. Russia claims that they belong to Ukrainian citizens, including military personnel. A total of 6,057 bodies have been received.
In Saudi Arabia, journalist Turki al-Jasser, who was arrested in 2018, was executed. He was accused of "treason" and criticizing corruption in the royal family.
The repatriation phase of the bodies of fallen defenders by rail has been completed, which accelerated delivery to the regions for identification. The following stages will be carried out by road according to the agreements.
1,200 bodies of dead citizens were returned to Ukraine as part of the agreements from Istanbul. Law enforcement officers and experts of the Ministry of Internal Affairs will conduct examinations to identify the dead.