Next stage of detainee release begins. Nineteen citizens returning to Ukraine

 “The next stage of mutual release of detained persons has begun. Ukraine returns 19 citizens, who were held captive in the temporarily occupied territories. Taking into account the quarantine restrictions currently in force in the country, the released Ukrainians will be sent for mandatory observation upon their return,” the Office of the President of Ukraine posted on its Telegram channel.

The Office noted that the mutual release of detained persons took place within the framework of the “all for all” format. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky and the Ukrainian authorities value every person who is illegally detained in the occupied territories or in another country.

“This is the third stage of release during the presidency of Volodymyr Zelensky. The first took place in September last year, when 35 Ukrainians returned home. Seventy-six Ukrainians returned home in December during the second stage. The current release demonstrates the efficacy of the President's strategy and adherence to the agreements reached during the Normandy format summit in December 2019,” the Office of the President emphasized.

As noted, the negotiations on the release of Ukrainians held in the occupied Crimea and Russia are still ongoing, but the publication in the media of the names of persons whom Ukraine tries to return complicates the process of their inclusion in the lists for liberation.

“Despite the spread of coronavirus and the onset of the global economic crisis, President Volodymyr Zelensky continues to make efforts to achieve peace in Donbas, return people and territories under the terms of Ukraine,” the statement reads.

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