Statement by High Representative/Vice-President Federica Mogherini on the exchange of prisoners between Ukraine and Russia

07.09.2019
Bruxelles

Today a prisoner exchange took place between Ukraine and Russia. This means that finally Oleg Sentsov, Pavlo Hryb, Edem Bekirov, the 24 captured Ukrainian sailors, and others whose release the European Union has called for so many times, are free and back in their country. Their release is testimony to the work and determination of those, including civil society, activists, and legal experts, who have worked tirelessly for this outcome. We hope that they can reunite with their families swiftly and wish them a prompt recovery from their grueling imprisonment.The European Union expects all parties to build on this momentum.