Russia and Ukraine agree to major prisoner exchange

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The agreement is the clearest concrete outcome from the first Russia-Ukraine peace talks in nine months. U.S. mediators said the sides remain far apart on core issues, particularly territory, despite reports of some progress during two days of negotiations. The conflict continues to threaten Ukraine’s energy infrastructure ahead of winter, while the prisoner exchange offers a limited humanitarian breakthrough without signaling an imminent ceasefire or political settlement.

Sources: Associated Press, The Straits Times, The Washington Post