Ukraine did not suspend anything regarding the exchange of prisoners of war with Russia. Now exchanges are not happening because Russia does not want it.
This is how Ombudsman Dmitry Lubinets commented on the words of Russian Commissioner for Human Rights Tatyana Moskalkova that allegedly “prisoner exchanges have been suspended due to far-fetched demands of the Ukrainian side.”
Prisoner exchanges between Ukraine and the Russian Federation
— This is not true! Ukraine did not suspend anything and did not take an ultimatum position on the issue of prisoner exchanges! Exchanges are not happening because Russia does not want it! Ukraine constantly offers new approaches to returning our defenders home, — emphasized the Verkhovna Rada Commissioner for Human Rights.
According to him, Russia is once again neglecting the rules of the Geneva Conventions. The Ukrainian side was ready, together with representatives of their Russian counterpart, to visit the places of detention of prisoners of war on both sides, but were refused by the Russian Federation.
Now watching
— The openness of the Ukrainian side was seen firsthand by the Turkish Ombudsman, who visited a camp for Russian prisoners of war. However, we have not yet seen a corresponding visit to Russia, — emphasized the Ukrainian Ombudsman.
RF violates the Geneva Conventions
In his opinion, the Russian Federation must fulfill simple obligations — comply with the requirements of international humanitarian law and the Geneva Conventions. All other actions and words — Lubinets is convinced that this is a distraction and a provocation.
The Ombudsman noted that first of all, the seriously wounded and sick should be exchanged, in accordance with the Geneva Conventions. Ukraine single-handedly created a mixed medical commission, which should have been created by the Russian Federation.
At the same time, the Russian Federation does not ensure proper correspondence between Ukrainian prisoners and relatives, as provided for in the Geneva Conventions. However, Ukraine generally provides the opportunity to make telephone calls.
According to Lubinets, the International Committee of the Red Cross does not have full access to the places where Ukrainian prisoners of war are being held, as a result of which verification is difficult. But Ukraine provides access to Russian prisoners without any barriers.
