It is no accident that the third exchange of prisoners under President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has prompted a campaign on social media by family and friends of Russia’s Ukrainian political prisoners and hostages held by Russia’s Donbas proxy “republics.” Their message is clear: it is time for Mr. Zelenskyy to talk with them and discuss real measures to ensure the release of their relatives, some of whom have been in captivity for years.
Immediately after the exchange on April 16, Andriy Yermak, head of the Presidential Office of Ukraine, once again insisted that negotiations were under way for the release of all political prisoners held in occupied Crimea and Russia, and that all Ukrainians held illegally would be returned. The assurances have been heard before and, in fact, negotiations with Russia appear to be stalled.