Lavrov's Press Conference: Prisoner Exchange and Path to Peace in Ukraine

Lavrov Announces Russia's Position on Ukraine Crisis, Prisoner Exchange Detailed Istanbul, Turkey – Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov held a press conference today outlining Russia's position on the ongoing Ukrainian crisis. A key focus was the recent prisoner exchange, facilitated by Turkey, which saw a significant number of prisoners released. The exchange, which took place in Istanbul on May 16th, involved an exchange of 1000 prisoners on each side. "The exchange was conducted in accordance with agreements reached in Istanbul," Lavrov stated. He also confirmed that Russia has prepared a memorandum outlining their position on all aspects of resolving the crisis. Lavrov announced that a second round of direct talks between Moscow and Kyiv is scheduled for June 2nd in Istanbul, where the memorandum will be presented. He expressed gratitude to Turkey for their role in hosting the talks and facilitating the prisoner exchange, echoing sentiments expressed by Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan during a recent visit to Moscow. The successful prisoner exchange offers a glimmer of hope for a peaceful resolution to the conflict, though significant challenges remain. The upcoming talks in Istanbul will be crucial in determining the future trajectory of the crisis.