Ukraine's Zelenskiy vows to press on with prisoner exchanges

9/6/2025 6:06

Ukrainian President Volodymyr

Zelenskiy vowed on Sunday to press on with prisoner exchanges

with Russia and said any failure by Moscow to uphold

humanitarian accords cast doubt over U.S. and other efforts to

end the more than three-year-old conflict.



Zelenskiy also warned Ukrainians to be attentive to air raid

warnings in the aftermath of heavy Russian air attacks.



The president was speaking a day after Russian officials

accused Ukraine of postponing the latest prisoner swap

indefinitely. A Ukrainian official had already rejected the

Russian allegation.



Speaking in his nightly video address, Zelenskiy said

Ukraine had not yet received the full list of prisoners to be

released under agreements clinched in talks in Turkey.



"The Russian side is therefore, like always, even in these

matters, is trying to play some kind of dirty political and

information game," Zelenskiy said.



"The important thing is to get a result, to ensure that

people are brought home. We believe that the exchanges will

continue and will do everything for this.



"If the Russians do not stand by agreements even in

humanitarian matters, it casts great doubt on all international

efforts -- including those by the United States in terms of

talks and diplomacy."



U.S. President Donald Trump has put pressure on both Ukraine

and Russia to move towards a resolution on the war. Ukraine has

said it backs a U.S. call for a 30-day ceasefire, while Russia

says certain conditions must first be met.



In concluding his address, Zelenskiy urged Ukrainians to be

especially attentive to air raid warnings.



"In the coming days we must pay attention to air raid

warnings," he said. "Look after yourselves, look after Ukraine."