The republics compromised with Ukraine on the issue of exchange
At the last meeting of the Trilateral Contact Group (TCG) in Minsk, most of the time was devoted to the exchange of detainees between Kiev and the Donbass republics.
Natalya Nikonorova, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the DPR and Plenipotentiary Representative of the Republic in the TCG, told Kommersant about this.
“The exchange formula contained in the agreements sounds like “all for all.” But we compromised and made “all installed on all installed.” Documents are being exchanged and lists are being reconciled, but if we are looking for about 400 people in Ukraine, the Ukrainian side confirms that they only have 177. Meanwhile, we have information from relatives and even lawyers of some people who are not on this list. It is known in which pre-trial detention center and even in which cell these people are kept. But for some reason Ukraine does not confirm these people,” said a DPR representative.
She also drew attention to legal problems.
“There are questions regarding procedural cleansing [people with different procedural status are preparing for exchange], as well as documents with which those on the list must go for exchange,” noted the head of the republic’s foreign policy department.
She also recalled how previous exchanges took place.
“When there was a large exchange in 2017, many people were brought without passports. And some were required to appear in court on the territory of Ukraine and were arrested if the person complied with this requirement,” Nikonorova added.
It's worth noting that in September, a detainee exchange took place between Kyiv and Moscow. Most of those exchanged on the Ukrainian side turned out to be Ukrainian citizens.
English version :: Read in English The republics have reached a compromise with Ukraine on the exchange issue