Russia, Ukraine agree to exchange 1,200 POWs each during Istanbul talks

Let's begin with the third round of ceasefire talks between Russia and Ukraine that concluded on Wednesday. Give us updates on the outcome.

The talks in Istanbul ended swiftly, with no ceasefire reached, but progress was made on additional prisoner exchanges.

The two delegations met for approximately 40 minutes at Istanbul's Ciragan Palace and discussed further prisoner swaps, but remained far apart on the terms of a ceasefire and a possible meeting of their leaders.

Both sides agreed to advance a prisoner-of-war exchange, committing to release at least 1,200 more POWs each, including severely wounded soldiers and civilians.

Russia's chief delegate, Vladimir Medinsky, said the bodies of 3,000 Ukrainian soldiers will also be returned.

Discussions reportedly included cases of abducted children.

Ukraine's delegation, led by Rustem Umerov, proposed a direct summit between Presidents Zelenskyy and Putin by the end of August; however, Russia suggested forming online working groups on military, political, and humanitarian issues instead.