In a surprise early-morning post on Friday, May 23, U.S. President Donald J. Trump announced that a “major prisoner swap” between Russia and Ukraine has just been completed, calling the development a sign of possible progress between the two nations.
“A major prisoners swap was just completed between Russia and Ukraine. It will go into effect shortly. Congratulations to both sides on this negotiation. This could lead to something big???” Trump posted on Truth Social.
The post follows recent diplomatic activity between Washington and Moscow, with Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov confirming earlier this week that Russian President Vladimir Putin and Trump held a two-hour phone call, reportedly their third in 2025. During the call, the two leaders discussed a proposed exchange of nine prisoners from each side, although no further details were made public at the time.
While exact names and terms of the swap remain undisclosed, the Kremlin described the discussion as a step toward normalising ties that have been deeply strained since Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
Ushakov said both leaders were in favor of “further normalisation of ties” and also touched on other global flashpoints, including heightened tensions with Iran.
This marks one of the most high-profile exchanges since the large-scale East-West prisoner swap in 2024 and could signal a broader thawing of relations — though experts caution that deep-seated issues remain unresolved.
More updates are expected as official statements from Moscow, Kyiv, and Washington are awaited.
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