Vladimir Medinsky, head of Russia’s delegation to the peace talks with Ukraine, has publicly called on Kyiv to honor its commitments regarding the exchange of prisoners of war (POWs) and the repatriation of fallen soldiers’ bodies. According to Medinsky, Ukraine has indefinitely postponed the agreed-upon exchange, leaving over 1,200 bodies of Ukrainian servicemen prepared for transfer at the designated exchange point.
“In strict accordance with the Istanbul agreements, on June 6, Russia began a humanitarian operation to hand over to Ukraine more than 6,000 bodies of killed Ukrainian servicemen, as well as to exchange wounded and seriously ill prisoners of war and prisoners of war under the age of 25,” Medinsky stated on Telegram.
He further noted that the first batch of 1,212 bodies had arrived in refrigerated containers at the exchange site, and a list of 640 prisoners meeting the agreed categories had been handed over to Ukraine. However, Ukrainian representatives failed to appear at the exchange location, providing no clear explanation for their absence.
According to KFGO, that “We are on site, We are fully prepared to work. International TV channels, news agencies, and correspondents are welcome to come and see for themselves that this is indeed the case,” Medinsky added.
Ukrainian officials have denied Russia’s claims, asserting that no specific date had been agreed upon for the exchange. Andriy Kovalenko, an official at Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council, accused Russia of acting unilaterally and manipulating sensitive humanitarian issues for propaganda purposes.
Ukraine’s Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War emphasized that while an agreement in principle was reached during the Istanbul talks, no specific timeline had been established. They also noted discrepancies in the lists provided by Russia, which did not align with the agreed prioritization criteria.
During the second round of peace talks held in Istanbul on June 2, both Russia and Ukraine agreed to exchange prisoners, focusing on the youngest and most severely wounded, and to return the bodies of 12,000 dead soldiers. The agreement aimed to facilitate the repatriation of 6,000 bodies from each side.
Despite this agreement, the lack of a specified timeline has led to conflicting interpretations and accusations from both parties. Russia claims to have acted in accordance with the agreements, while Ukraine accuses Russia of unilateral actions and misinformation.
The international community has expressed concern over the stalled exchange and the humanitarian implications of the delay. Observers emphasize the importance of adhering to the Geneva Conventions, which mandate the humane treatment of prisoners of war and the respectful handling of the deceased.
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has not issued an official statement on the matter but continues to monitor the situation closely.
The delayed exchange of prisoners and fallen soldiers’ bodies underscores the ongoing challenges in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, even amidst efforts toward peace. Both sides are urged to engage in constructive dialogue and honor their humanitarian commitments to alleviate the suffering of affected families and uphold international norms.
Top Keywords: Ukraine prisoner exchange, Medinsky, Russia Ukraine war, POW swap delay, Geneva Convention, Istanbul peace talks
Image Caption: Refrigerated containers prepared by Russian forces await Ukrainian representatives at the border for the scheduled exchange.(abc.net.au)
Would you like an image generated illustrating this scene based on the description?
