The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, in an interview with the Turkish television channel TRT Russian, said that, while negotiating with Russia about the Crimean Tatars, this is not an exchange. Ukraine demands the release of these people from the Russian Federation.
“The exchange of prisoners is probably the most difficult and delicate part of all negotiations with Russia, because it concerns the fate of people, concerns their relatives who are waiting for news, so we never disclose any details of prisoners who can be exchanged, or terms”,- he said.
Kuleba stressed that the Ukrainian authorities are actively working on the implementation of the “all for all” formula. But if we talk about the Crimean Tatars, then we are not talking about an exchange.
“When we talk about Crimean Tatars, we are not talking about an exchange. We only demand the release of these people, and this is the most difficult part, because Russia believes that Crimea is under its jurisdiction”,- the minister said.
The Ukrainian politician recalled that Crimea was and will remain an illegally occupied territory until its return. In accordance with international law, the Russian Federation, the occupying state bears full responsibility for what is happening on the peninsula.