This is stated in a statement published by the representative of the German government, Martina Fitz.

“German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron welcome the release of prisoners and their exchange in eastern Ukraine,” the statement said.

She called the exchange "a long-awaited humanitarian gesture that should help restore confidence between the two sides."

Earlier, the French Embassy in Ukraine reported that Paris and France support the exchange in the Donbass.

Kiev held an exchange of prisoners with Lugansk and Donetsk on December 29.