UN Secretary-General welcomes exchange of prisoners and detainees in eastern Ukraine

 “United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has welcomed the recent exchange of prisoners and detainees in eastern Ukraine and commended all those who helped bring about the exchange,” the UN News Centre reports with reference to the UN Secretary-General spokesperson.

Guterres hopes that this humanitarian act could serve as a positive step towards strengthening the confidence among the sides.

As noted, he also urges all parties to take further measures in this spirit, including by fully respecting and upholding the ceasefire agreement and continuing to work together to fulfill all of their commitments under the Minsk agreements.

On 27 December, more than 300 detainees were released with the participation of the UN partner, International Committee of the Red Cross. The operation took place near the town of Maiorsk and is the largest since the beginning of the conflict.

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