RUSSIA – In an Interview with NBC, the Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated that while Moscow is open to direct talks between Putin and Zelesnkyy, any peace deal between Russia and Ukraine can only be signed by a legitimate representative of Kyiv.

Zelenskyy’s presidential term ended over a year ago, and Ukraine hasn’t had any election.

Lavrov stressed that the Zelenskyy’s intention of meeting Putin isn’t based on substance, but rather public theatrics since he likes to play games.

He added that Zelenskyy so far has rejected everything that Russia has put forward, which makes Moscow see no point in empty talks.

Russia-Ukraine Prisoner Swap

Russia and Ukraine on Sunday exchanged 146 prisoners of war each after mediation by the United Arab Emirates.

A statement by the Russian Defense Ministry said 146 of its servicemen were returned with “humanitarian mediation efforts” from the UAE.

“In exchange, 146 prisoners of war of the Armed Forces of Ukraine were transferred (to the Ukrainian side),” the statement added.

It said eight Russian citizens residing in the border region of Kursk were also returned to Moscow as part of the swap.

The returned Russian servicemen, the ministry said, are currently in Belarus, where they are “receiving the necessary psychological and medical assistance.”

Ukraine’s Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War also confirmed the swap in a statement on Telegram, but did not mention the figures.

The statement, however, acknowledged eight civilians were also returned as part of the swap, and that its servicemen were returned as part of deals reached in Istanbul, where three rounds of renewed peace talks were held on May 16, June 2, and July 23.

“Exchanges continue. And this is possible thanks to our warriors, who replenish the ‘exchange fund’ for Ukraine; to our team, which works every day; and to our partners who help,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy wrote on US social media company X.

The latest prisoner swap comes amid intense diplomatic efforts led by US President Donald Trump to end the Russia-Ukraine war that continues since February 2022.