REUTERS
The U.S. Department of State following the exchange of 233 convicts detained in connection with the war in Donbas, who had been serving their sentence in Ukrainian prisons, for 73 Ukrainian nationals held hostage by Russia-led forces, has called on sides to exchange detainees in Donbas under “all for all” formula, according to Department Spokesperson Heather Nauert.
“The United States welcomes yesterday’s exchange between the government of Ukraine and Russia-led forces in eastern Ukraine of more than 300 detainees. This exchange is one step toward implementation of the Minsk agreements. We once again call on the sides to fully implement their Minsk commitments including through a true ‘all-for-all’ detainee exchange; a full ceasefire; the withdrawal of heavy weapons; safe and secure access for OSCE Special Monitoring Mission monitors; and humanitarian access to the conflict zone,” reads the statement published on the U.S. State Department website.
Read alsoBig swap
As UNIAN reported earlier, on December 27, a prisoner exchange was completed with Ukraine having released 233 convicts detained on Donbas war-related charges and serving their sentence in Ukrainian prisons, and Russian-led militants having freed more than 70 Ukrainian hostages.