Recent Posts
- Ukraine recovery should be based on development of territorial communities, innovations, involvement of professional domestic community – results of ESUR forum 29.06.2023
- Ukraine repatriates five more seriously wounded Russian POWs 10.04.2023
- Rada intends to include history of Ukraine, foreign language in final certification for general secondary education 10.04.2023
- Rada terminates protocol on joint anti-terrorist measures in CIS territories for Ukraine 10.04.2023
- 100 Ukrainians, incl defenders of Mariupol, returned according to swap procedure – Yermak 10.04.2023
Zelensky: we get 200 soldiers for one fan of Russia – Medvedchuk
KYIV. Sept 22 (Interfax-Ukraine) – President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky said in a nightly video address that 200 Ukrainian soldiers were exchanged for one "fan of Russia," referring to former head of the Opposition Platform – For Life party Viktor Medvedchuk.
"This operation [for exchange] was prepared for quite a long time. And there are several components in the exchange. The first component: we exchanged one fan of Russia for 200 warriors," Zelensky said in the video address.
Speaking about the details of the exchange, the head of state noted that at first Russia offered to return 50 Ukrainians in exchange for one of those who were in the SBU pretrial detention center.
"We talked. We insisted. The number of 50 increased to 200. They are already in Ukraine. I think this is a good result. Although even more than 200. Because among the released Ukrainian women there are those who are preparing to become mothers. And I am especially happy that it has now become possible to return them to Ukraine. It is not a pity to give Medvedchuk in exchange for real warriors," the president said.
According to Zelensky, Medvedchuk went through all the investigative actions provided for by law. Ukraine received from him everything that was necessary to establish the facts in the framework of criminal proceedings.
"We remember all our people and try to save every Ukrainian. This is the meaning of Ukraine, our essence, this is what distinguishes us from the enemy. We value every life! And we will definitely do everything to save everyone who is in Russian captivity," the president said.
