Donetsk, Dec 27 – DAN. The chances for a POW swap to transpire in 2018 are minimal, the DPR Head Denis Pushilin said during his televised Q&A marathon on Thursday.
"That's a shame that the chances to carry out prisoner exchange this year are minimal. We are left to hope that the beginning of the net year will be more effective. But we are not responsible for everything. Our hands are tied."
Pushilin said the DPR awaits assistance from the international community on the matter.
"We should appeal to their perseverance in terms of putting Ukraine under pressure."
The Donetsk People’s Republic and Ukraine last exchanged prisoners on December 27, 2017. Ukraine handed over 160 people to Donetsk, and the DPR passed over 57 people to Kiev. Since then, Ukrainian negotiators at the Minsk talks have been avoiding any meaningful discussion of the exchange agenda.*ot