The journalist explained why the current prisoner exchange is important for Ukraine

The large exchange of prisoners between Ukraine and Russia, scheduled for the end of August according to the “33 to 33” formula, the completion of which was previously reported by the media and political scientists, is important because its successful completion opens a window of opportunity for improving relations between Kiev and Moscow, reports a PolitNavigator correspondent .

This opinion was expressed on his social network page by Vyacheslav Chechilo, a Kiev political observer and editor-in-chief of the online publication Capital.

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“Why is the exchange of detainees between Russia and Ukraine important? Because it opens up the opportunity for further improvement of relations. First of all, for Kyiv. Because if in the Russian Federation the presence of Russian citizens in Ukrainian prisons is not a political factor, then in Ukraine it is what prevents the authorities from taking steps towards normalizing relations. If Zelensky returns “our guys,” this will shut many mouths and give him a free hand on many other issues,” Chechilo wrote.

Earlier, the political observer expressed fears about a possible breakdown in the exchange of efforts by what he called “ultra-patriotic “stupid sheep.”

“Let’s keep our fingers crossed, or something…. The main thing now is that no stupid sheep ruins everything with its patriotic bleating,” he said.

According to Russian and Ukrainian media, both countries are close to completing the process of exchanging detained citizens on the territory of both countries. According to the latest data, Moscow and Kyiv are discussing an exchange formula of 33 for 33 people without taking into account the chief editor of the Ukrainian RIA Novosti, Kirill Vyshinsky, a source familiar with the progress of the negotiations told the RBC agency. The discussion of the exchange scenario according to this formula was confirmed to the publication by two other interlocutors familiar with the details of the negotiation process on both sides.

It is planned that the release of Vyshinsky will take place according to a special scheme, one of the interlocutors noted, without specifying whether the Russian journalist will be included in this round of exchange. Another interlocutor familiar with the progress of the negotiations noted that Moscow does not insist on the mandatory exchange of Vyshinky - the fact of his release is fundamental for Russia. RBC's interlocutors find it difficult to say whether Ukrainian director Oleg Sentsov will be released this time. Also, according to Russian media, the Ombudsman of Ukraine Lyudmila Denisova is already in Russia.

On Thursday, Vladimir Putin's press secretary Dmitry Peskov told reporters that there are contacts between representatives of Russia and Ukraine on the exchange of detained persons. He also noted at the briefing that the heads of Russia and France, Vladimir Putin and Emmanuel Macron, discussed the problem of exchanging detainees in Russia and Ukraine, but without specific names.

The day before, Kommersant, citing a source close to the negotiations and an interlocutor close to Zelensky, reported that Russia and Ukraine could exchange citizens by the end of August. Moscow political scientist Alexei Chesnakov, who is close to Putin’s adviser Vladislav Surkov, expressed the same hope.