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In Russia, Vladimir Putin participates in the Vladivostok Economic Forum. Established five years ago, this business meeting aims to attract foreign investment in the Far East and strengthen ties between Russia and Asian countries. This year, the Russian President receives his counterparts from India, Japan, Malaysia and Mongolia. After the speeches of his guests, Vladimir Putin was questioned about a possible exchange of prisoners between Russia and Ukraine. According to Putin, the modalities would be finalized.
From our correspondent in Moscow , Etienne Bouche
On Thursday in Vladivostok, the Russian president assured that this exchange of prisoners would be "large" and that its date would be known very soon. " We are approaching the finalization of the negotiations, " Vladimir Putin announced, mentioning the presence in the audience of Ukrainian MP Viktor Medvedchuk . This oligarch is deemed close to the Kremlin and intends to play a role of intermediary between Moscow and Kiev.
Vladimir Putin said he hopes the prisoner exchange will allow for a " complete normalization of relations" between the two neighbors, emphasizing the cultural proximity between the two countries.
A few days ago, the Ukrainian presidency denied the finalization of a process of exchange in response to some information broadcast by Ukrainian officials and Russian media. The hypothesis of imminent concreteness was fueled by the transfer of Oleg Sentsov . Imprisoned in the Far North, the Ukrainian director has been in the Russian capital for nearly a week.