The Format for Prisoner Exchange Is Stated as 'All for All': Zakharova

The optimal format for prisoner exchange is stated as 'all for all.' This was mentioned by Maria Zakharova, the official representative of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, during a weekly briefing, responding to a question about Armenian prisoners of war in Azerbaijan.

“The positions of the parties regarding the issue of prisoners differ. We have been consistently discussing this. The discrepancy in data is quite significant; the numbers presented by official Yerevan change regularly, while different information is received from Baku. In such cases of discrepancy, we advise to directly address the Armenian and Azerbaijani sides,” said Zakharova.

As of today, a total of 79 people have been returned through the mediation of Russian peacekeepers, comprising 63 representatives from the Armenian side and 16 from the Azerbaijani side,” she noted.

She reiterated Russia’s position on this issue: “We are guided by the approach that the optimal format for exchange is stated as ‘all for all.’ We believe that a prompt resolution of this issue will allow the sides to turn the tragic pages in their relationships and focus on advancing the positive agenda, including in the economic sector. Discussions on this matter were held in Moscow on January 11 between the leaders of Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Russia,” highlighted the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs representative.