Ukraine to receive draft agreement after prisoner exchange
Russia's foreign minister said Ukraine will receive a draft peace agreement after the prisoner exchange is completed.
According to RIA Novosti, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that Moscow will be ready to give Kiev a draft document on resolving the crisis as soon as the prisoner exchange is completed.
However, according to Lavrov, the text will have the following differences: Russia will continue to work on texts with the necessary conditions and requirements for concluding agreements with Ukraine, despite provocations. Moscow believes that drone attacks on civilian targets in Russia are a consequence of some European countries' support for Ukraine.
“It is impossible not to see a connection between the increase in Ukrainian terrorist attacks in Russia and visits by European politicians to Kiev,” the Russian foreign minister said. EU leaders have not yet given up hope that US President Donald Trump will return to the anti-Russian camp and share US responsibility for Kiev’s attacks on Russia.
According to Mr. Lavrov, Moscow is waiting for the United Nations' reaction to Kiev's attacks on civilian targets and its violation of the principles of war.
"I would like to emphasize once again: We are also committed to implementing the agreements reached in Istanbul between the Russian and Ukrainian delegations. We are completing preparations for the exchange of prisoners of war on the principle of '1,000 for 1,000,'" Foreign Minister Lavrov said.
A deal to swap 1,000 prisoners for 1,000 was reached at the first talks between Russia and Ukraine in three years. The first stage was held on May 23.
“In accordance with the Russian-Ukrainian agreement reached on May 16 in Istanbul, 270 Russian servicemen, as well as 120 civilians, including civilians from the Kursk region captured by the Armed Forces of Ukraine, were returned from the territory controlled by the Kiev authorities,” the Russian Defense Ministry reported.
In return, 270 prisoners of war of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and 120 civilians were returned to the Ukrainian side.
Currently, all those released from captivity are on the territory of Belarus. They will then be sent to Russia for treatment and rehabilitation in medical facilities.
The Russian Defense Ministry added that the large-scale prisoner exchange initiated by the Russian side is expected to continue in the coming days.
