Ukraine's president proposes exchange of Putin's close friend for Ukrainians in Russian captivity

By Handan Kazanci

ISTANBUL (AA) – Ukraine's president proposed early Wednesday the exchange of Russian President Vladimir Putin's close friend Viktor Medvedchuk for Ukrainians in Russian captivity.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy made the offer to Russia in a video posted on Telegram.

On Tuesday, Zelenskyy announced that Ukraine in a special operation captured the fugitive oligarch Medvedchuk.

Sharing a photo of Medvedchuk sitting in a chair with his hands cuffed, Zelenskyy said on his Telegram account: "A special operation was carried out thanks to the SBU (Security Service of Ukraine). Well done!"

Last year, a treason case was opened in Ukraine against Medvedchuk, the leader of the opposition party Opposition Platform - For Life.

He was reported to have escaped house arrest just after Russia’s war on Ukraine began on Feb. 24.