Zelenskyy visits front line as Ukraine and Russia swap 500 prisoners each

"Video posted by Zelenskyy of the exchange showed dozens of men stepping off white buses, waving and embracing border guards. One soldier, phone to his ear, could be heard telling his mother: I am at home. That's it, I am home."

"US special envoy Steve Witkoff credited the swap to sustained and detailed peace discussions held in Geneva under the direction of President Donald Trump, thanking Switzerland for hosting the negotiations. Discussions remain ongoing, Witkoff wrote, with additional progress anticipated in the weeks ahead."

"The stronger we are in the eastern direction, he told troops, the stronger we are in the talks process. However, talks expected to take place in Abu Dhabi between March 5 and 9 were postponed after US and Israeli strikes on Iran prompted retaliatory attacks across the Gulf."

Ukraine and Russia exchanged 500 prisoners of war each over two days, with 200 soldiers swapped on Thursday and 300 on Friday, plus two Ukrainian civilians returned. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy visited the eastern front line near Druzhkivka and Kostiantynivka in Donetsk, emphasizing to troops that military strength supports peace negotiations. US special envoy Steve Witkoff attributed the swap to sustained peace discussions in Geneva under President Trump's direction. However, planned trilateral talks in Abu Dhabi scheduled for March 5-9 were postponed due to escalating Middle East tensions following US and Israeli strikes on Iran and subsequent retaliatory attacks.

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