In Ukraine, for first time since 2014, warring parties have again exchanged more prisoners. In total, Ukrainian side 237 prisoners free, so-called People's Republic of Donetsk and Luhansk allowed 73 prisoners to return. "This is a happy event that hundreds of families have waited for," said former Ukrainian president Leonid Kuchma, one of Kiev negotiators.

Separatists and government had negotiated exchange for months. Russian Orthodox Patriarch Cyril I had mediated that Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko had negotiated.

Both sides accused each or of holding on to prisoners. The Minsk peace settlement of 2015 actually provides for unconditional release of all prisoners. In fact, it was agreed that 306 prisoners and prisoners from separatist territories were released from Ukraine.

Merkel and macron demand furr release

The prisoner exchange was to be largest since beginning of war in Ukraine almost four years ago. The last had been given in September 2016. At that time, Ukrainian government released four separatists, and rebels left two prisoners in return.

Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron shared in a joint statement that y encourage parties to conflict to facilitate exchange of remaining prisoners. In addition, full access should be granted to International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC).

Since 2014, more than 10,000 people have been killed in Ukraine conflict. It is believed that both sides continue to hold many people captive.

Date Of Update: 28 December 2017, 12:02