RFE/RL's Russian Service quotes pro-Russian rebel leader Aleksandr Zaharchenko as saying the separatist "People's Republic of Donetsk" is prepared to hand over captive Ukrainian soldiers in exchange for separatists held by Ukrainian authorities.
Earlier today, Ukrainian National Security and Defense Council spokesman Andriy Lysenko said more than 200 troops are being held by separatist forces.
The lawyer for Nadiya Savchenko -- a Ukrainian military pilot captured by separatists in eastern Ukraine and smuggled into Russia and now held by Russian authorities, who accuse her of complicity in the death of two Russian journalists covering a battle in Ukraine -- said via Twitter that he "dare[s] to hope" that his client will be part of any possible prisoner exchange:
Oh goodness.
Today's situation map from the Ukrainian National Security and Defense Council:
This is the Kremlin's interpretation of their conversation, mind you, via Reuters:
PUTIN, UKRAINE'S POROSHENKO SPOKE BY PHONE, AGREED STEPS NEEDED TO ENSURE UKRAINE CEASEFIRE BECOMES DURABLE - KREMLIN