Ukraine's spy chief backs Pope's call for general prisoner swap: We just have to convince Russia
Ukraine's Defence Intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov has said he supports the Pope's call for a general exchange of all prisoners between Russia and Ukraine, but he believes that Russia will not agree to this.
Ukraine’s Defence Intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov has said he supports the Pope’s call for a general exchange of all prisoners between Russia and Ukraine, but he believes that Russia will not agree to this.
Source: Kyrylo Budanov in an interview with ARD, a German TV channel
Quote from Budanov: "I’m entirely in favour of this. Let’s do it. There’s just one minor difficulty: we have to convince Russia."
Details: ARD reminded viewers that Budanov has been involved as a representative of Ukraine in prisoner swap negotiations between Russia and Ukraine. He has yet to see any interest from Russia in a general exchange of all prisoners.
Budanov also told ARD that Türkiye is no longer the main intermediary in talks on prisoner swaps; the United Arab Emirates has taken its place.
Previously: During his Easter message on Sunday, 31 March, Pope Francis expressed his "hope for a general exchange of all prisoners between Russia and Ukraine: for the sake of all".
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