Zelensky Accuses Russia of ‘Dirty, Political’ Game Over Delayed POW Swap
“If the Russian side fails to comply with this agreement, it will cast great doubt on the possibility of continuing diplomatic efforts,” Zelensky warned, emphasizing that the deal had been clearly defined and publicly acknowledged during the Istanbul meetings.
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has accused Russia of engaging in a “dirty, political” maneuver to derail a planned prisoner of war (POW) exchange, casting doubt on the sincerity of ongoing peace efforts. The accusation comes amid mutual blame between Kyiv and Moscow over the stalled agreement initially reached during peace talks in Istanbul, according to AFP.
In his evening address to the nation on Sunday, Zelensky said, “The Russian side, as usual, is trying to play a dirty, political, information game.” The statement referred to Russia’s alleged obstruction of a major prisoner swap involving more than 1,000 Ukrainian service members.
The planned exchange was seen as a significant confidence-building measure in the context of peace negotiations aimed at ending the war, now in its third year. However, both sides have traded accusations of sabotage, with Moscow insisting that Kyiv was not adhering to agreed procedures and Ukraine maintaining that Russia is deliberately stalling.
“If the Russian side fails to comply with this agreement, it will cast great doubt on the possibility of continuing diplomatic efforts,” Zelensky warned, emphasizing that the deal had been clearly defined and publicly acknowledged during the Istanbul meetings.
According to AFP, Ukrainian officials expressed growing frustration over what they describe as Russia's manipulation of humanitarian issues for political leverage, particularly regarding POWs held in harsh conditions. Meanwhile, Russia has offered no formal comment on Zelensky’s latest remarks.
The Istanbul negotiations, though limited in scope, had been considered a rare opening for de-escalation. Now, with the POW swap in limbo, hopes for meaningful diplomatic progress appear increasingly uncertain.
