Exchanges of prisoners of war and civilians between Russia and Ukraine in 2025 should be systematic.
This was announced by Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets on the Rada channel.
According to him, he reached this agreement during a meeting with Russian Ombudsman Tetyana Moskalkova.
‘We have previously agreed that exchanges in 2025 should be systematic. We will see whether the Russian side will keep its word. If so, Ukrainian society will see this consistency in terms of number, timing, categories...’ Lubinets said.
The Ombudsman added that for the first time, they managed to agree that the lists would be formed according to two parameters.
‘First of all, based on physical health - the severely wounded and seriously ill are the first to return. The second is the principle of justice: whoever is in captivity longer is released earlier... At least, I received confirmation from Moskalkova that they are ready to form the lists in this way,’ the Verkhovna Rada Commissioner said.
Lubinets added that the Ukrainian offensive in the Kursk Region had a positive impact on the exchanges. In addition, another 1,500 packages are to be delivered to Ukrainian prisoners of war early this year. In general, every prisoner, whether military or civilian, should receive such packages.