Editor’s Note: Ukraine and Russia carried out 70-prisoner exchange on Sept. 7, the largest since Russia started its war against Ukraine in 2014. Among the 35 Ukrainian political prisoners and prisoners of war released were 24 sailors captured by Russia in the neutral waters of the Black Sea in November. At least 117 Ukrainian citizens are still imprisoned on political charges in Russia, and at least 150 are held in jails in the occupied Donbas. The Kyiv Post asked people in Kyiv whether the prisoner exchange brings Ukraine and Russia closer to ending the war.
Valeriia Velychko
student of language and literature
“I hope so, but something tells me that it’s a move by Russia to show that it’s all so good and then demand concessions from Ukraine. And I don’t like how President Volodymyr Zelensky says: ‘I talked to (Vladimir) Putin and asked him to take something under control.” It’s as if he himself is unworthy and only asks Putin to help him. He doesn’t treat him as an enemy.”
Liudmyla Obertynska
former press officer
“It depends on what terms. I think this leads to the lifting of sanctions from Russia and returning it to G8. And that’s not beneficial for Ukraine People’s feelings and desires to see their loved ones were used for a PR event. I think Russia is actively implementing its plan that was impossible under the previous Ukrainian authorities. Russia is imposing its scenario, and it will not be a victory for Ukraine strategically.”
Olha Hrechaniuk
literary editor
“No, I don’t think so. We hardly know the terms to which they have agreed. Of course, I’m happy they are home. We, the people who really care for Ukraine, wanted this. But I’m not sure this will turn out to be something good for Ukraine.”
Bohdan Mahnenko
student of law
“I think, yes. Before this, we couldn’t negotiate with our adversary Russia about a prisoner exchange. And when we exchanged prisoners, we established some relations that will help us end the war in the future.”
Eldar Hasanov
real estate agent
“The prisoner exchange is a big step, of course, towards ending the conflict in the Donbas. Our president seems to be trying hard for this to happen.”
Tetiana Ivanova
retiree
“I don’t think so. First of all, Putin needed this to get into G8. Secondly, while he understood that he has to comply with the United Nations court decision to free the Ukrainians sailors, he did this on his own terms through the prisoner exchange.”
