Kiev and the pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine on Thursday (April 16th) carried out a new exchange of prisoners, a humanitarian gesture in the run-up to Easter celebrated Sunday in this country whose population is predominantly Orthodox.
Read also: New exchange of prisoners between Ukraine and pro-Russian separatists
" I am happy every time we recover our fellow citizens, our heroes, soldiers, political prisoners and ordinary citizens, " said President Volodymyr Zelensky in a video released by his press service.
Ukraine has been handed over 20 people, mostly civilians detained in the separatist territories, but also at least two soldiers, the presidency announced. The only woman in the group, Alevtina Popova, said that she spent two years in prison for " helping the Ukrainian soldiers ". Now it's " relief and freedom, " she said in a video released by the presidency.
In exchange, Kiev was to release 17 people, but three of them refused to be handed over to the separatists, the press service of the Ukrainian presidency told AFP. No information on their identity has been released.
Released prisoners placed in solitary confinement
Negotiations were hampered by the quarantine due to Covid-19, said Lioudmyla Denyssova, the parliamentary official responsible for human rights. According to her, 200 Ukrainians remain detained by the separatists and 115 other prisoners in Russia and the annexed Crimea.
Ukrainians rescued by Kiev will be placed in " compulsory " isolation before they can see their families again, she said. " It is important that the release of the detainees continues even in the time of Covid-19, " said in a statement the Red Cross in Ukraine.
The heads of French and German diplomacy, who act as mediators between Kiev and Moscow in this conflict, described the exchange as " significant progress " in a joint statement.
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres also welcomed the release of the prisoners in a statement in New York. He hopes that " this important humanitarian action " will allow more progress, including " a permanent cease-fire ," said his press release.
The previous prisoner swap took place in December, when around 200 people were released from both camps.
Read also: Vast exchange of prisoners between Kiev and the separatists
