Russia Proposes New POW Exchange, Urges Ukraine to Act
MOSCOW – Russia’s High Commissioner for Human Rights, Tatiana Moskalkova, has publicly called for the urgent resumption of prisoner-of-war (POW) exchanges with Ukraine, stating that the process has been stalled for over four months.
Following a meeting with her Ukrainian counterpart, Moskalkova emphasized the humanitarian imperative. “Mothers and wives have been waiting far too long for their loved ones. Their swift return home would be an act of humanity and compassion,” she stated.
The Russian official placed the onus for the delay on Kyiv, asserting that the Russian Ministry of Defence has repeatedly put forward various formats for exchanges, but the Ukrainian side has delayed making necessary decisions.
In a move presented as a step towards resolution, Moskalkova confirmed that the Ukrainian ombudsman was provided with a list of Ukrainian servicemen held in Russia who could be part of a potential near-future exchange. “We are awaiting proposals from the Ukrainian side,” she added.
Furthermore, Moskalkova highlighted the issue of wounded captives, stressing “the need to repatriate wounded Russian POWs in accordance with the Geneva Conventions.”
The appeal marks a renewed public push from Moscow on the prisoner exchange issue, a key and deeply emotional aspect of the ongoing conflict, amid a prolonged hiatus in such humanitarian swaps.
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