«All for all»: Zelenskyy says the first step to peace should be the exchange of all prisoners with Russia

Forum «Support Ukraine». Screenshot from the video

The first step towards peace talks between Russia and Ukraine could be a prisoner exchange in the format of «all for all». Ukraine is ready for such a step.

This was stated by President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the «Support Ukraine» forum in Kyiv on 24 February.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted that the end of the war should begin with steps that restore confidence in the situation itself. And the situation that will be a step towards ending the war is the release of all prisoners.

«The end of the war must begin with steps that restore confidence in the situation itself, because there is no confidence in Russia. We need situations that speak of the end of the war. A real situation. And right now, the release of prisoners can be such a step. Thousands (of prisoners, — note). Exactly thousands of people who are held in Russia. And some of them have been held not only since 2022, but even earlier, since 2014. Russia must release the Ukrainians. Ukraine is ready to exchange all for all, and this is a fair option», Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.

Earlier, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he was ready to resign in exchange for security guarantees.

It should be noted that the forum «Ukraine. Year 2025» forum held in Kyiv on 23 February, Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said that Ukrainian diplomats aim to end the war in 2025.