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Why massive prisoner swap failed: Lubinets explains
Ombudsman: Delay of «1000-for-1000» exchange caused solely by Russia’s position.The promised large-scale prisoner swap between Ukraine and Russia in a «1000-for-1000» format has not yet taken place, with the delay caused exclusively by the Russian side.
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One of the prisoner swaps / Illustrative photo / © Volodymyr Zelenskyy
This was stated by Dmytro Lubinets, the Verkhovna Rada Commissioner for Human Rights, during a national telethon broadcast.
The ombudsman says that Ukraine has fulfilled all its obligations: the lists of prisoners were handed over to the Russian side, and the negotiation group met all requirements.
«The decision is now up to Russia. Instead, it is stalling the process and attempting to manipulate it,» he said.
Lubinets stressed that when dealing with agreements involving Russia, one can never be 100% certain that their word will be kept.
«This is precisely why Ukraine works systematically and without pause — the negotiation process continues daily. Our priority is to return everyone. First and foremost, the severely wounded and critically ill, as well as those held in captivity the longest, including some since 2014,» the Commissioner stated. He explains that Russia intentionally delays the exchange, only to later blame Ukraine.
«This propaganda is targeted at the families of prisoners of war who are waiting for their loved ones to return home,» says Lubinets.