Doha: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced Tuesday that his country has returned a new group of prisoners of war (POW) under a previous agreement with Russia. In a press statement, Zelensky confirmed that this step represents the first stage of the return of wounded and seriously injured Ukrainian soldiers, noting that they all require urgent medical care.

According to Qatar News Agency, he described the operation as an important humanitarian act. The Istanbul talks, held on June 2 under the auspices of Turkiye with the participation of international observers, resulted in humanitarian agreements that included a comprehensive exchange of prisoners of war, including minors and the sick, in addition to the exchange of the remains of up to 6,000 soldiers.

The two sides also exchanged memoranda of understanding regarding a limited ceasefire, without reaching a comprehensive truce, amid continuing disagreements on security and political issues.