Russia and Ukraine are negotiating a "major exchange" of prisoners of war

Russia and Ukraine are negotiating a "major exchange" of prisoners of war

The Russian and Ukrainian militaries are holding talks on a "major exchange" of prisoners of war, but no agreement has been reached yet, TASS reported, citing the Russian Federation's Commissioner for Human Rights, Tatyana Moskalkova.

Moskalkova recalled that she had previously announced two lists of 900 and 600 people. It was noted that an agreement on a large exchange has not yet been reached.

"We have sent to the Ukrainian side and are ready to return them, while we are expecting the same number of Russian prisoners of war from Ukraine. The military is negotiating on this issue," he said.

The Commissioner for Human Rights of the Russian Federation noted that the ombudsmen of the two countries are trying to expand the humanitarian aspect of providing assistance to prisoners of war, including exchanging letters received from prisoners to their relatives and loved ones. "It is very important for them to understand before the exchange that their relatives and friends are alive and that they are being provided with the necessary assistance. This is in line with international norms and rules," the Ombudsman said.

According to Moskalkova, an agreement was reached with the Ukrainian Ombudsman to send mutual parcels to prisoners of war with warm things and letters from relatives.

Earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov reported that Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban had proposed a large-scale prisoner exchange between Russia and Ukraine and the declaration of a Christmas truce.

"On the same day, the Russian Federal Security Service sent our proposals for a prisoner exchange to the Hungarian Embassy in Moscow. However, judging by the reactions of Zelensky and his entourage on social media, the Ukrainian side rejected all of Viktor Orban's proposals," Peskov said.