Zelensky sees talks with Putin as only way to release Crimean political prisoners

“All the lists [for prisoner exchanges] were formed thanks to the work of our Ombudsperson. The issue of political prisoners is the most important for us. Unfortunately, it is completely blocked. To date, I see no other way out except direct talks with the Russian president on Crimean prisoners. It is possible that we will be able to work out new solutions during the Crimea Platform,” President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky said in an interview with Crimean journalists published by the Ukrayinska Pravda online media outlet, Ukrinform reports.

Zelensky noted that he had a list of issues to discuss with all leaders at meetings of any format and assured that he always raised the issue of Crimean prisoners.

“Unfortunately, Russia holds the lever of decision, linking political prisoners with the occupation of Crimea. The Kremlin does not view these people as Ukrainian political prisoners because they do not admit that they occupied Crimea,” the President stressed.

According to Zelensky, Russians separate the lists of those who stay in certain areas of Donetsk and Luhansk regions, those Ukrainians who stay in Crimea or are already in Russia. At the same time, Ukraine combines these lists and insists that the “all for all” exchange must cover the Crimean residents as well.

“I also call on the leaders of those countries who support us to work actively and put pressure on the Russian president. The president of the Russian Federation can easily return our prisoners to us, even if he does not believe that they are political prisoners. We are ready for exchanges and any steps to bring back our Crimeans,” Zelensky stressed.

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