You're reading: Sajdik expects parties to Donbas conflict to update lists for prisoner swap in week

MINSK – The parties to the Ukrainian conflict should update the lists of illegally detained persons during the week, OSCE Special Envoy to the Trilateral Contact Group Martin Sajdik said.

“We must update the lists during this week. It is a very difficult process, because there are various categories of detained persons,” Sajdik told reporters following the Trilateral Contact Group’s meeting in Minsk on Wednesday.

The Trilateral Contact Group is addressing these issues, he said.

“And, certainly, the rule of law (in Ukraine) needs to be respected. It is necessary that all procedures are implemented under such requirements,” Sajdik said.

“We hope that the parties are indeed drawing nearer. I am proud to say that we’re nearing the completion of the attestation [the verification of the lists of illegally detained persons] process,” he said.

“I believe, it’s quite a large number,” Sajdik said, replying to a question as to what percentage of prisoners does not want to return to territories beyond Kyiv’s control.