ISTANBUL

The next round of Russia-Ukraine negotiations could take place on Feb. 26-27, the head of Ukraine’s presidential office, Kyrylo Budanov, said Monday.

According to the RBC-Ukraine news agency, Budanov said that negotiations between Ukraine and Russia are approaching the point at which the parties will have to make final decisions to “continue this war or move toward peace.”

Budanov also said a prisoner exchange could take place this week, Ukrinform reported.

“We are working on it. I hope that it will happen this week,” he said, adding that the number of exchanged prisoners will be “significant,” higher than last time.

However, he did not provide further details.

Last week, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he expects the new round of talks with Russia to take place before the end of February.

“We are counting on the next meeting, and it would be right to hold it in February. It is important that Europeans are present — France, Great Britain, Germany, Italy, and also Switzerland as the host country,” he said.

Russia and Ukraine held a third round of peace talks in Geneva, Switzerland, on Feb. 17-18, following two earlier rounds in the UAE’s capital Abu Dhabi earlier this month and in January.