Russia and Ukraine agree major prisoner exchange after peace talks

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The agreement represents a limited humanitarian outcome from the first Russia-Ukraine peace talks in nine months, but it falls well short of a ceasefire or political settlement. U.S. mediators said significant differences remain, especially over territory, while the prisoner exchange offers a rare concrete result amid the nearly five-year war. The talks will be closely watched for signs of further negotiations, although the absence of a broader agreement means fighting and diplomatic tensions are expected to continue.

Sources: The Straits Times, news.com.au, The Age