Ukraine Calls on Russia Not to Create Artificial Obstacles

Ukraine is calling on the Russian side not to create artificial obstacles and not to spread falsehoods regarding the process of prisoner exchanges and the return of deceased servicemen's bodies. This was reported by RBC-Ukraine, citing a statement from the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense.

The ministry noted that the Russians had given clear promises in Istanbul to carry out the exchange of severely wounded and injured soldiers, as well as 25-year-old young prisoners, and to begin the phased repatriation of the bodies of the deceased.

"Unfortunately, the Ukrainian side is facing yet another attempt to renegotiate the agreements after the fact. If the Russian side now refuses to adhere to everything they promised in Istanbul, this raises questions about the level and capabilities of the Russian negotiating group," stated the Ministry of Defense.

The ministry added that the agreements reached must be implemented exactly as they were agreed upon in Istanbul and in subsequent technical consultations.

It is worth recalling that earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin's assistant, Vladimir Medinsky, announced that the Ukrainian side unexpectedly postponed both the acceptance of the bodies and the exchange of prisoners for an indefinite time.