President Zelenskyy: After a long stalemate, prisoner exchanges are back on track

“Today, I received a report from our negotiating team following two days of meetings and talks in the Emirates – with the American side and with the Russian side,” said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in a traditional address to the Ukrainian nation on Feb. 5.

Fellow Ukrainians!

Briefly about today. The most important thing is that there was a prisoner exchange, and 157 of our people have returned home from Russian captivity. For a long time, it was not possible to unblock exchanges; now the process is set in motion, and it is crucial that it continues. On Ukraine’s part, we are doing everything to ensure the exchanges, and I thank our partners who are helping and providing the necessary mediation. I would also like to thank our warriors – each of our units that replenishes Ukraine’s exchange fund allows the state to carry out this exchange work. Among those who returned today are men who had been in captivity for nearly four years. An extraordinarily long and difficult time, given all the Russian brutality. I am happy for the families, relatives, and brothers-in-arms who waited for their loved ones to return. We will continue working to bring everyone back – each and every one – military personnel and civilians, adults and children. We remember everyone and are verifying information on each person, name by name.

Full text of the address: Office of the President of Ukraine