Ukrainians hope for prisoner swap in peace deal
Ukrainians whose loved ones are among the thousands of soldiers and civilians imprisoned by Russia are anxiously watching Trump's peace push in hope their friends and relatives will be included in any deal.
Kyiv and Moscow have carried out regular prisoner exchanges throughout the war, but President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has proposed an all-for-all swap as a potential pathway to talks with Russia.
The Trump administration wants a quick peace in the three-year-old war and is seeking to force Kyiv to the table after a White House clash between Trump and Zelenskiy last week.
The U.S. suspended military aid and intelligence sharing this week as it pivots to a more conciliatory approach to Moscow.
Ukraine and the United Nations have accused Russia of widespread abuse of prisoners, including torture and rape.
Meanwhile Ukraine's Zelenskiy met with Von der Leyen as the EU is set to back a defense spending surge
“We want peaceful strength. And this is the reason why I present today to the leaders: the 'ReArm Europe Plan.' The 'ReArm Europe Plan' provides up to 800 billion euros for defense investment. It gives the member states fiscal space to invest in defense. It gives the member states the possibility to invest in the Ukrainian defense industry or to procure military capabilities that go right away to Ukraine,” Ursula von der Leyen, EU Commission President said.
European leaders are expected to agree to ramp up defense spending and reaffirm support for Ukraine at a summit on Thursday, after Donald Trump's suspension of military aid to Kyiv fueled concerns the EU can no longer rely on U.S. protection.
While the summit will offer words of support and plan for an increase in defense spending, Europe is not expected to be able to fully replace suspended US aid.
Washington provided more than 40% of military aid to Ukraine last year, according to NATO, some of which Europe could not easily provide.
