Each country releases 35 prisoners in biggest exchange since start of Crimea conflict.
The exchange went according to the “35 by 35” scheme. Both countries freed 35 prisoners as part of the exchange. The Russian side released 24 Ukrainian sailors detained in the Strait of Kerch, as well as director Oleg Sentsov, who was sentenced to 20 years in prison on charges of terrorism.
“We have done everything we promised,” said Zelenskiy. He said he hoped the exchange was the first step in increased efforts to bring peace to war-torn east Ukraine, where more than 13,000 people have died in ongoing fighting.
The Russian president, Vladimir Putin, said on Thursday that the prisoner exchange would be “a good step” toward the normalisation of relations between Moscow and Kyiv. The Kremlin denies sending Russian troops to east Ukraine and says any Russians fighting there are “volunteers”.
The US president, Donald Trump, tweeted: “Russia and Ukraine just swapped large numbers of prisoners. Very good news, perhaps a first giant step to peace. Congratulations to both countries!”
Anaita Andikkhou
The exchange went according to the “35 by 35” scheme. Both countries freed 35 prisoners as part of the exchange. The Russian side released 24 Ukrainian sailors detained in the Strait of Kerch, as well as director Oleg Sentsov, who was sentenced to 20 years in prison on charges of terrorism.
“We have done everything we promised,” said Zelenskiy. He said he hoped the exchange was the first step in increased efforts to bring peace to war-torn east Ukraine, where more than 13,000 people have died in ongoing fighting.
The Russian president, Vladimir Putin, said on Thursday that the prisoner exchange would be “a good step” toward the normalisation of relations between Moscow and Kyiv. The Kremlin denies sending Russian troops to east Ukraine and says any Russians fighting there are “volunteers”.
The US president, Donald Trump, tweeted: “Russia and Ukraine just swapped large numbers of prisoners. Very good news, perhaps a first giant step to peace. Congratulations to both countries!”
Anaita Andikkhou
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