This month, the Ukrainian journalist Victoriia Roshchyna was finally laid to rest in a cemetery in Kyiv. She had disappeared in August 2023 while investigating abuses by Russian forces in occupied areas of Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia region. After more than a year in Russian custody, she was to be released as part of a prisoner swap between Kyiv and Moscow. But she died before the exchange took place. Russian authorities eventually repatriated her body, which showed signs of torture.
Dmitry Peskov, a spokesperson for Vladimir Putin, highlighted the humanitarian importance of Russia-Ukraine negotiations. They mentioning that hundreds of Russian soldiers were able to return home after a prisoner swap in Istanbul. This concern is shared by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who has repeatedly stated that bringing home Ukrainian captives is a top priority for his government. Kyiv’s allies, including the European Union, the Council of Europe, and the United States. It have also stressed the importance of releasing detainees. In a joint statement with Ukraine in March, the U.S. called on the Kremlin to prioritize the exchange of prisoners of war. The release of civilian detainees, and the return of deported Ukrainian children. The release of war captives may be the one thing all parties can quickly agree on. Countries such as Qatar, Turkey, and the UAE have all been involved in mediating prisoner exchanges. And securing the repatriation of Ukrainian children
