Zelensky proposes 'all for all' POW swap as 'start' of ending war

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the third anniversary of Russia’s invasion has called for a full exchange of prisoners of war with Russia, describing it as the first step toward ending the conflict.

"Russia must release Ukrainians. Ukraine is ready to exchange all for all, and this is a fair way to start," Zelenskyy said during a summit in Kyiv on Monday.

Emphasising the need for a lasting resolution, he urged for "real, lasting peace" this year. "This year should be the year of the beginning of a real, lasting peace. Putin will not give us peace or give it to us in exchange for something. We have to win peace through strength and wisdom and unity," he added.

Reflecting on Ukraine’s resilience over the past three years, Zelenskyy praised the country’s determination and sacrifice. "Three years of resistance. Three years of gratitude. Three years of absolute heroism of Ukrainians. I am proud of Ukraine! I thank everyone who defends and supports it. Everyone who works for Ukraine. And may the memory of all those who gave their lives for our state and people be eternal," he wrote in a post on X.


The war, triggered by Russian President Vladimir Putin’s "special military operation," and Ukraine's retaliation has become Europe’s largest conflict since World War II. The fighting has led to heavy military losses on both sides, thousands of Ukrainian civilian deaths, and widespread destruction in the country’s south and east, forcing millions to flee their homes.

While Western nations initially stood firmly behind Ukraine, growing political uncertainties—including the potential return of Donald Trump to the White House—have cast doubt on the continued flow of military and financial aid. Meanwhile, Russian forces are intensifying their offensive in the east, drawing confidence from Trump’s diplomatic stance and his scepticism over long-term US support for Kyiv.