Russia condemns 'double standards' in Western reaction to prisoner swap with Ukraine

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova. Photo: TASS

According to Russia's TASS news agency, the country's Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova pointed out the double standards of Western countries regarding their reaction to the recent prisoner exchange between Russia and Ukraine.

"We were really surprised by the reaction we saw from the international community," the diplomat said at a press conference. "We were surprised that these statements only welcomed the release and repatriation of Ukrainian citizens, who received a lot of sympathy from the West."

The spokeswoman noted that there was no such reaction towards Russian citizens. "The Russians detained by Kiev, who were finally able to reunite with their families as a result of the humanitarian steps taken by both sides, do not evoke any sympathy, no emotional reaction, as if they were people of a different kind who did not deserve such feelings," Zakharova said.

“Everyone understands that it is difficult to see this approach as anything other than a display of double standards, and a step away from any common view on human rights, as often invoked by our Western partners.”

On September 7, Moscow and Kiev carried out a "35 for 35" prisoner exchange. Preparations for the exchange began after the election of Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky. The active phase of negotiations and formalization of legal procedures related to citizens of the two countries on the list began a few weeks ago. On September 5, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that the exchange was large-scale and could become a step towards normalizing bilateral relations.