Vladimir Zelensky/Office of the President
Russian invaders are kidnapping Ukrainians in the territories they have occupied. It is they who are subsequently used to exchange for their military, who were taken prisoner by Ukraine.
Consequently, it is the exchange of prisoners that is one of the most acute humanitarian issues for Ukraine. As well as searching for and establishing the whereabouts of Ukrainians illegally deported by the aggressor country. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky said this during an online conversation at the Ukrainian House in Davos.
“The first is the exchange of people. Today, this is a humanitarian moment and a political decision that depends on the support of many states. You know, several thousand of our people are in captivity after the blockade of Mariupol, Azovstal. In addition, there were people from Donbass. today in the canvas. These are absolutely brave people, I am immensely grateful to them. They have done a great job. I am sure, heroic, historical. We must exchange them,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy stressed.
Ukrainians in captivity of Russia
It is not known how many Ukrainians are in Russian captivity. After all, servicemen get there during the battles with the Russian invaders. Also in captivity are civilians from the occupied territories who have pro-Ukrainian views.
The invaders also noted the kidnapping of representatives of the authorities of the occupied cities, persuading them to cooperate.
Ukrainians who are trying to leave the captured cities also fall into Russian captivity. They are all sent to the so-called “filtration camps”, and those who are considered unreliable are captured. The rest are taken to the territory of Russia, where cases have been recorded when their documents were taken away and they were forbidden to leave this region.
In general, Ukraine and Russia conducted ten prisoner exchanges, thanks to which almost four hundred Ukrainians returned home.
The next exchange between Ukraine and Russia may be the transfer of defenders from Azovstal to the Ukrainian side. They left the plant with a guarantee, which they would subsequently exchange for Russian prisoners.
To press, not to talk with Russia
According to the Ukrainian president, Ukraine has involved in the exchange process the UN, Switzerland, Israel and many other countries trying to talk to Russia. However, according to Volodymyr Zelensky, one should not persuade Russia, but put pressure on it, seeking the necessary solution.
“In no case should you flirt, you shouldn’t play with Russia, but you should put pressure politically, because of the closure of business, because of the oil embargo. Threats of sanctions, business. And because of these threats, achieve the possibility of an exchange. of the Russian military,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.
Deported Ukrainians
The situation is also difficult with Ukrainians deported from their home to Russia or the previously occupied territories of the Donetsk region.
< p>“About 500 thousand people were forcibly brought into the territory of Russia or to the occupied parts of the Donbass. They were taken out by force – children separated from their parents. There are a lot of such cases. We appealed to both the International Committee of the Red Cross and the UN. Where they have access, they are looking for these people, we are looking for,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.
According to him, it is difficult to locate illegally deported Ukrainians, because their passports and other documents are often confiscated, and also telephones.
“Personally, I have yet to find a format for solving this problem. I would like to draw the attention of the international community to this issue. And I would like to return people home, or at least get information where they live,” the president said.
