Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has praised the realization of another exchange of prisoners of war with Russia. Many people have contributed to the return of Ukrainians to their homeland, Zelensky said in his daily video address. In addition to the diplomats, he also praised the secret service and the military, who had created the basis for the exchange by capturing Russian soldiers. Ukraine had taken many prisoners, especially during its surprise counter-offensive in the western Russian region of Kursk in early August. Zelensky described this as one of the most important results.
Previously, Russians and Ukrainians had exchanged 49 prisoners of war each. On the Ukrainian side, several civilians returned alongside soldiers. Almost half of the prisoners were women. According to Zelensky, 3,569 Ukrainian prisoners of war have been brought back since the beginning of the war.
Selenskyj again calls for weapons release
In his speech, Zelensky once again called for pressure on Russia to be increased – including by releasing long-range weapons against Russian territory. “This war can only be ended fairly from a position of strength,” said the Ukrainian president. He also advocated this in talks with several state guests – including Danish Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen, Britain’s former Prime Minister Boris Johnson, and former US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.
Ukraine has been fending off a large-scale Russian invasion for more than two and a half years with massive Western support. However, there are restrictions on the use of Western weapons against Russian territory.
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