In a significant development amid ongoing hostilities between Russia and Ukraine, the two countries recently completed a prisoner exchange, involving nearly 500 individuals. The exchange, facilitated with the assistance of the United Arab Emirates, marks the largest swap of prisoners since Russia's invasion of Ukraine began almost two years ago. A total of 230 Ukrainian prisoners were released in exchange for 248 Russian prisoners.

The exchange comes in the wake of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's claim that Russia fired around 500 missiles and drones into Ukraine within a span of five days. President Zelensky denounced these attacks as "conscious terror." Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin vowed to intensify attacks on Ukraine after a Ukrainian strike on the Russian city of Belgorod resulted in the tragic deaths of at least 25 individuals, including five children.

Contrary to reports suggesting that Putin may be open to ceasefire negotiations, Nina Khrushcheva, a professor of international affairs at the New School and the great-granddaughter of former Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev, refutes such claims. According to Khrushcheva, Putin has consistently emphasized Russia's determination to achieve all its goals in the conflict, regardless of international sanctions. Khrushcheva asserts that most Russians believe even ceasefire talks will ensure that Russia exits the war "on stronger terms."

Although The New York Times has reported Putin's alleged willingness to entertain ceasefire negotiations, Khrushcheva asserts that this view is not shared in Moscow. She emphasizes that Putin has consistently maintained Russia's commitment to achieving its objectives and retaining control over certain territories. However, the professor does acknowledge that the significance and success of the recent prisoner exchange cannot be discounted, as it represents a notable improvement compared to past exchanges.

The ongoing conflict in Ukraine has not only caused immense suffering but also led to a deep divide within Russia itself. Khrushcheva highlights the rural-urban divide, with cities like Moscow and St. Petersburg appearing to distance themselves from the war, while smaller towns and villages show support for Putin and a refusal to surrender to the West. Despite the majority of Russians not supporting the war, Putin continues to enjoy high approval ratings, currently standing at around 60%.

As tensions continue to escalate between Russia and Ukraine, the upcoming elections in March in Russia hold significance. With the expectation that Putin will secure another term as president, Khrushcheva argues that the West must reassess its strategy and face the reality of the situation in Ukraine. She suggests scaling back the vision of defeating Russia and focusing on finding a resolution to the war and subsequent punishments, if necessary.

The recent prisoner exchange raises hopes of a potential ceasefire and possible negotiations between Russia and Ukraine. However, the diverging perspectives in Russia and the insistence of both sides on achieving their respective goals make for a complex and challenging path towards peace.