“This is a decisive step in resuming the constructive dialogue, which should be continued in the coming weeks,” the press service of the Champs Elysees said in a statement.

The report also notes that France and Germany will intensify their efforts within the framework of the Norman format in order to facilitate the implementation of the Minsk agreements.

Macron on his Twitter separately expressed satisfaction with the release of director Oleg Sentsov.

Je salue la libération du cinéaste Oleg Sentsov, dans le cadre de l'échange de prisonniers conduit aujourd'hui entre la Russie et l'Ukraine. Nous avons toujours été à ses côtés.

- Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) September 7, 2019

Earlier, US President Donald Trump congratulated Russia and Ukraine on the exchange of held persons.