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Türkiye teases massive Ukraine-Russia prisoner swap Türkiye teases massive Ukraine-Russia prisoner swap
(about 4 hours later)
A thousand persons may be exchanged with Ankara’s mediation, Turkish ombudsman has told journalists A thousand people could be exchanged with Ankara’s mediation, the Turkish ombudsman has told journalists
Lists compiled by Russian and Ukrainian officials for a potential prisoner swap include about a thousand individuals, according to Türkiye, which hosted talks between the two nations last week. Russian and Ukrainian officials have compiled lists for a potential prisoner swap involving some 1,000 people, according to Türkiye, which hosted talks between the two nations last week.
Details of the endeavor were shared with the public by Seref Malkoc, Türkiye’s chief ombudsman for human rights, during a press conference on Monday. Among other matters, he discussed last week’s meeting between his Russian and Ukrainian counterparts. Details of the initiative were shared by Seref Malkoc, Türkiye’s chief ombudsman for human rights, during a press conference on Monday.
“The Ukrainian ombudsman gave a list of 800 people to the Russian side at the meeting where I was present. The Russian ombudsman gave a list of 200 people to the Ukrainian ombudsman,” he said, as quoted by Turkish media.“The Ukrainian ombudsman gave a list of 800 people to the Russian side at the meeting where I was present. The Russian ombudsman gave a list of 200 people to the Ukrainian ombudsman,” he said, as quoted by Turkish media.
Russian human-rights commissioner Tatyana Moskalkova held a bilateral discussion last week with Ukraine’s Dmitry Lubinets in Ankara. They were later joined by Malkoc and Mustafa Sentop, the speaker of the Turkish parliament. Possible prisoner exchanges were debated during the meeting, but previous statements by participating officials didn’t disclose the numbers that could be involved. Russian human-rights commissioner Tatyana Moskalkova held a bilateral discussion last week with Ukraine’s Dmitry Lubinets in Ankara on the sidelines of a conference. They were later joined by Malkoc and Mustafa Sentop, the speaker of the Turkish parliament.
The Turkish intermediary said the two parties made some changes to their relevant lists during the event and that the proposed exchange was then subject to approval by the leadership of each nation. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will be in contact with President Vladimir Putin of Russia and President Vladimir Zelensky of Ukraine about the matter, he added. Possible prisoner exchanges were discussed during the meeting, but the numbers involved had not previously been disclosed.
Russia and Ukraine conducted a number of prisoner swaps over the months of the armed conflict, some with Türkiye’s mediation. Unlike many allies of the US, Ankara declined to take an antagonistic stance towards Russia and has served as a middle man between Moscow and Kiev. Among other things, Türkiye helped create a UN-backed mechanism for exporting Ukrainian grain via the Black Sea. The Turkish intermediary said the two parties amended their lists during the meeting and added that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will be in contact with Russian and Ukrainian counterparts, respectively Vladimir Putin and Vladimir Zelensky, about the matter.
Russia and Ukraine have conducted a number of prisoner swaps throughout the armed conflict, some with Türkiye’s mediation. Unlike many allies of the US, Ankara declined to take an antagonistic stance towards Russia and has served as a middle man between Moscow and Kiev. Among other things, Türkiye helped create a UN-backed mechanism for exporting grain via the Black Sea.
Moskalkova commented on the remarks on Tuesday, saying they did not indicate that a prisoner swap was imminent or would involve all of the listed individuals.
“I always stress that those issues are the prerogative of the Defense Ministry or Russia,” she noted. An exchange of 800 prisoners in Russian custody for 200 people held by Ukraine would not be “equitable” and could be perceived as unjust, she added.