Umerov Briefs Zelensky on POW Swap and Possible Meeting With Trump, Putin

Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council Secretary (RNBO) Rustem Umerov has briefed President Volodymyr Zelensky after meetings in the US with Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. According to Zelensky, discussions covered a potential prisoner exchange with Russia, future diplomatic formats, and the expansion of Ukraine’s “Drone Deals” initiative involving nearly 20 countries. Make us preferred on Google Flip Share Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Bluesky Email Copy Copied (Photo by Zelenskiy / Official) Content Share Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Bluesky Email Copy Copied Flip Make us preferred on Google President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Monday, May 11, that Rustem Umerov, secretary of Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council (RNBO) and head of the Ukrainian delegation in US-led peace talks, briefed him after meetings in the US with envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. In a Telegram update, Zelensky said the talks focused on prisoner exchanges, diplomatic efforts to end the war, and Ukraine’s growing international drone cooperation. Follow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official . “It is important that America remains engaged in diplomacy and, in particular, acted as a mediator on the issue of prisoner exchanges,” Zelensky said. According to him, discussions are ongoing regarding the format of a planned prisoner of war (POW) exchange with Russia – mediated by the US and agreed by Kyiv as a precondition for the May 9-11 ceasefire. Zelensky said prisoner lists have already been transferred. Zelensky added that the meetings in the US also included discussions on possible formats for future leader-level talks aimed at ending Russia’s war against Ukraine, but he did not provide further details on potential negotiations. The president said Ukraine is currently working with nearly 20 countries on so-called “Drone Deals” at various stages. Four agreements have already been signed, he said, while other countries are preparing political arrangements to allow business cooperation and new security partnerships. Other Topics of Interest Latvia’s Defense Minister Steps Down After Ukrainian Drones Hit Oil Tanks Latvian Defense Minister Andris Sprūds resigned after two Ukrainian drones, reportedly diverted by Russian electronic warfare, struck oil facilities in eastern Latvia. The incident exposed weaknesses in the country’s air defenses and triggered political backlash, with Prime Minister Evika Siliņa criticizing the slow deployment of countermeasures. The episode has intensified calls for stronger NATO air defense support across the Baltic region. Umerov’s US visit On May 6, Bloomberg reported that Umerov would travel to Miami to meet Witkoff, US President Donald Trump’s special envoy. The meetings came as broader peace negotiations remain stalled over a proposed 20-point plan, security guarantees, and Russia’s territorial demands. Key disagreements include control over parts of Donbas and the status of the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. Previous rounds of talks have yielded limited progress, with major sticking points still unresolved. On May 7, Zelensky said he had set key priorities for Umerov, with discussions focusing on humanitarian issues, diplomacy, and security cooperation. “The first is the humanitarian track. We hope it will be possible to carry out a new stage of prisoner exchanges,” Zelensky said. Zelensky said the second priority is advancing diplomatic efforts, noting that Ukraine remains in constant contact with the United States and is aware of parallel communication between partners and Russia. The third priority involves specific security tasks related to cooperation with the United States. Kyiv Post is Ukraine’s first and oldest English news organization since 1995. Its international market reach of 97% outside of Ukraine makes it truly Ukraine’s Global – and most reliable – Voice.