"Given a positive assessment": Putin and Zelensky discussed the exchange of held persons between Russia and Ukraine

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky held telephone conversations, according to the Kremlin’s press service website. It is noted that the conversation took place on the initiative of the Ukrainian side.

During the dialogue, the leaders of Russia and Ukraine positively assessed the release and mutual transfer by both countries of those who remained in the countries. The presidents emphasized that the humanitarian focus of this action is of great importance for the further normalization of relations between countries.

Recall that on September 7, an exchange of held persons took place between Russia and Ukraine according to the “35 by 35” formula. Among those who returned to Russia was the head of RIA Novosti Ukraine Kirill Vyshinsky. Moscow, among others, handed over to Kiev sailors detained for violating the state border of the Russian Federation in the Kerch Strait, and director Oleg Sentsov, convicted of terrorism.

Putin and Zelensky also touched on the conflict in the Donbass. They emphasized the importance of "a ceasefire, as well as the consistent withdrawal of forces and assets on the contact line of the warring parties."

In addition, the organization of the Norman Four summit was also discussed. In this regard, Vladimir Putin called for careful preparation for its holding.

“The President of Russia noted the need to continue comprehensive preparatory work so that the next meeting in this format would be effective and really contribute to the implementation of the existing agreements at the highest level, especially the Minsk“ set of measures, ”the press service of the Russian president said.

It is also noted that the presidents "agreed on further contacts."

Direct dialogue between Russia and Ukraine is also one of the reasons for the progress in relations between the countries, said Konstantin Kosachev, head of the committee of the Federation Council on Foreign Affairs.

“Another powerful news today is the third conversation between the presidents of Russia and Ukraine. Apparently, the dialogue justifies itself, the negotiability of the updated Ukrainian side is an order of magnitude higher than before the election. Good sign. We hope for the best, ”wrote Kosachev on his Facebook.

Earlier, the leaders of the countries spoke on the phone on August 7, the conversation also took place on the initiative of the Ukrainian president. Then the main topic of conversation was the observance of the ceasefire, announced on July 21.

“In order to de-escalate the conflict, it is necessary first of all to exclude further shelling by the Ukrainian troops of the settlements of Donbass, leading to civilian casualties,” the Russian president said then.

Prior to this, on July 11, Putin and Zelensky, among other topics, had discussed over the telephone the joint work on the return of persons held on both sides. According to Tatyana Moskalkova, Commissioner for Human Rights in Russia, it was after this conversation that a full-fledged dialogue on the exchange of citizens of both countries became possible.

“After the conversation took place between the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin and Zelensky Vladimir Alexandrovich on July 11, for the first time we felt constructive and negotiating, the mutual dialogue began to get clear outlines,” the Ombudsman said on the Russia 24 television channel.

Norman format

The question of organizing a new meeting as part of the "Norman Four" is often raised in telephone conversations between the two presidents.

On September 3, advisers from the leaders of the Norman Four countries met in Berlin: Russia, Ukraine, Germany and France. During the conversation, the issue of preparing the summit in the Norman format was also discussed.

The meeting was highly appreciated by the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Vadim Priestayko noted that during the talks the parties achieved “certain successes”.

“I hope that the agreements reached, which we are going to fulfill, will be implemented in the near future and we will be able to open the way to the summit. There is some success, on the basis of the results of which we are going to base the next meeting of leaders, ”Pristayko said.

Nevertheless, the parties have not yet set the next date for the summit. This, in particular, was announced by the Assistant to the President of the Russian Federation, Yuri Ushakov.

“No, it’s not known, specific dates were not set,” Ushakov told reporters on the sidelines of the Eastern Economic Forum, which was held in Vladivostok from September 4 to 6.