Zakharova Prisoner swap disproves claims Russia avoids negotiations
webangah News Agency reported, citing Sputnik News Agency, that Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova stated on Saturday: “The prisoner exchange has exposed the baseless nature of Western allegations claiming Russia’s reluctance to engage in negotiations.”
The ministry spokesperson emphasized that the exchange invalidated all Western assertions about Moscow’s unwillingness to dialog with Ukraine, clearly demonstrating Russia’s commitment to diplomatic engagement.
Zakharova added: “the prisoner swap was initiated by the Russian side and executed in record time.”
Russia and Ukraine reached an agreement last week during Istanbul negotiations for what could become their largest prisoner exchange since the start of Moscow’s special military operation in February 2022. The initial phase saw each side repatriate 390 prisoners, with expectations for a final total of 1,000 exchanged personnel per party upon completion.
