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Filmmaker Oleg Sentsov was released along with many other prisoners in an unprecedented prison exchange on 7 September 2019. REUTERS / Gleb Garanich

After 5 years of conflict, Russia and Ukraine have carried out an unprecedented exchange of 70 prisoners, 35 on each side, this Saturday, September 7th. The exchange was hailed by the American, German and French leaders.

The exchange allows Russian President Vladimir Putin to ease his relations with his neighbor and with the European Union. A month earlier, President Emmanuel Macron had invited President Vladimir Putin to Fort Brégançon .

The French president insisted that the conditions be quickly met to organize a peace summit on Ukraine. He wanted a summit in the Normandy format, which brings together the heads of state of Ukraine, Russia, Germany and France. It could be held by the end of the month, a first for 4 years.

►Also read: Russia-Ukraine: an unprecedented exchange of prisoners, Oleg Sentsov released

This inflection, this giving and giving with Russia, the head of the French diplomacy evoked it still before the press this week. " A form of audacity ," said Jean-Yves le Drian. But a thoughtful audacity . The Elysee Palace has also welcomed this exchange of prisoners, " a decisive step " in the resumption of a constructive dialogue between Kiev and Moscow.

I welcome the release of filmmaker Oleg Sentsov, as part of the prisoner exchange conducted today between Russia and Ukraine. We have always been at his side.

Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) September 7, 2019

A Franco-Russian cooperation summit

In a statement on Saturday, the French Foreign Minister said he wants to support the efforts of Kiev and Moscow to get further progress in the coming weeks. According to the minister, the priority is to consolidate the cease-fire between the two countries, the withdrawal of heavy weapons, mine clearance and emergency humanitarian measures for the people of the Donbass region .

Jean-Yves Le Drian will also speak on Monday, September 9 this issue, alongside Florence Parly, the Minister of Arms, at the Council of Franco-Russian cooperation on security issues. The two ministers will meet their Russian counterparts in Moscow. This summit will again be a first since the annexation of Crimea by Russia.