Ukraine and Russia reach major agreement in peace talks breakthrough

has said and Ukraine are preparing a new prisoner swap after talks between the two sides ended in Turkey. Ukraine's president, speaking in Lithuania, said both sides "exchanged documents through the Turkish side" and are "preparing a new release of prisoners of the war". Previous direct talks between the two sides on May 16 also resulted in a prisoner exchange, with 1,000 on both sides being returned.

Andriy Yermak, head of Mr Zelensky's office, said Kyiv also handed Moscow an official list of children it said had been forcibly deported and must be returned. Hopes were not high for the latest round of peace talks, which were chaired by Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan. He said the talks aimed to discuss ceasefire terms, adding "the whole world's eyes" were focused on the contacts and discussions delegates would have in Istanbul today (June 2).