Russia offers Ukraine to exchange 630 prisoners of war

By Elena Teslova

MOSCOW (AA) – Russia on Wednesday offered Ukraine to immediately exchange 630 prisoners of war (PoWs) and begin negotiations for additional swaps, as Moscow is currently preparing for future exchanges.

"We are ready to exchange 630 military personnel right now and are also preparing for future exchanges," Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said at a news conference in Moscow, emphasizing Russia's desire for a constructive dialogue on PoW with Kyiv.

Russia and Ukraine have carried out many prisoner exchanges since the war between the countries began Feb. 24, 2022.

The last exchange between Moscow and Kyiv took place in mid-October when the two countries swapped 95 PoWs each.

Meanwhile, the Russian Children's ombudswoman office said that Qatar facilitated the return of two Russian children taken from a combat zone in Ukraine to Russia.

The children were reunited with their families at the Qatari Embassy in Moscow, with the presence of the country's Ambassador Ahmed bin Nasser Al Thani and a representative from the Russian Presidential Commissioner for Children's Rights.

"I am very glad to receive two children and their families at the embassy today. Qatar has always paid great attention to humanitarian work, ensuring human rights, and ensuring the rights of children," the ambassador said.

According to him, Qatar's diplomats have been instructed by the country's leadership to continue assisting Russia and Ukraine in reuniting children with their families.

"We hope that every child will be able to return home both in Russia and in Ukraine," he said.