Zakharova called Russia the initiator of the prisoner exchange with Ukraine

The initiative on the exchange of prisoners with Ukraine according to the "1000 for 1000" formula, which the parties agreed on in Istanbul, was Russian. This was announced at a briefing on May 20 by the official representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, Maria Zakharova.

"This was a Russian initiative, which was proposed by the head of the Russian delegation, on the exchange of detainees, so let no one try to take credit for it from any other side," she said.

Zakharova noted that President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky could not decide for a long time on Kiev's participation in the negotiations, consulted with European leaders, who, in turn, tried to prevent the resumption of direct dialogue with the Russian Federation.

"The residents of Bankova naively believed that postponing the negotiations could force Moscow to abandon them. As a result, the performance staged by Zelensky failed miserably," she added.

The official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry also stressed that Russia is ready to continue contacts with the Ukrainian side, pointing to the beginning of an important decision-making moment for Kiev.

Peaceful gravity: Russia is ready to work with Ukraine on a future treaty

What else did Putin and Trump talk about on the phone for more than two hours 

On May 16, the delegations of Russia and Ukraine at the talks in Istanbul agreed to present their vision of a cease-fire and to exchange prisoners of war in the "1000 by 1000" format. According to the head of the Russian delegation, Assistant to the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Medinsky, the Ukrainian side also offered to hold talks between the leaders of the states, and Russia took this request into account.