Ukraine plans large-scale prisoner exchange with Russia

In a statement by Ukrainian Foreign Minister Vadym Prystaiko on October 4 on Ukraine's 1+1 TV channel, he said Ukraine is planning to conduct a major prisoner exchange with Russia.

"I hope very soon, and I want to be precise next week, we plan to conduct a large-scale prisoner exchange," Mr. Prystaiko shared.

With the prisoner exchange and electricity trading, it can be seen that the Russia-Ukraine relationship is improving since Ukraine has a new President - Photo: Guardian

The comments come after a breakthrough in talks between Russia and Ukraine this week, paving the way for an international summit to end the conflict in eastern Ukraine. Russia and Ukraine also exchanged dozens of prisoners on September 7.

Relations between Russia and Ukraine have deteriorated rapidly since Russia's annexation of Crimea and the subsequent conflict in eastern Ukraine that broke out in 2014. However, efforts to ease tensions between the two countries have been accelerated since Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelensky took office in April 2019. Experts say the prisoner exchange will be a positive sign in the improved relations between the two neighboring countries after Russia's annexation of Crimea five years ago.

In addition to the prisoner exchange, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Andrei Cherezov recently announced that Crimea will provide surplus electricity to Ukraine if the country needs it. But to do that, Ukraine will have to complete the power transmission infrastructure that has been damaged since 2014.

"It will depend on Ukraine. The power transmission line that exploded is still there, it has not been repaired. We are ready to make a connection at any time if there is a need and if Ukraine is ready to do it," Deputy Prime Minister Cherezov told reporters on the sidelines of the Russian Energy Week Forum.