Ukraine proposes collaborator exchange, but Russia stalls
Illustrative photo: Ukraine has offered Russia an exchange of collaborators, but Moscow is in no hurry (Getty Images)
Ukraine is ready to exchange collaborators on the condition that Ukrainian citizens are returned from Russian captivity. However, Moscow is in no hurry to act on this issue, the Ukrainian project "Khochu k svoim" (I want to go to my own) reports.
According to the project, Russian State Duma deputies have recently started mentioning Ukrainian collaborators in the media.
On the eve of the Kyiv-Moscow negotiations in Istanbul, one of the Russian parliamentarians handed a letter to the head of the delegation, Vladimir Medinsky, asking him to "take into account the dramatic situation" of pro-Russian "political prisoners in Ukraine." This refers to Ukrainian traitors who worked for the enemy and are now serving sentences for it.
Later, the same deputy called the sentencing of collaborators "repression," which does not reflect the reality.
"Ukraine not only refrains from any repressive actions against those convicted of treason, but is also doing everything possible to give them the opportunity to leave for Russia on the condition that Ukrainians are returned from enemy captivity," the project adds.
'Their own' are in no rush
The Ukrainian project "Khochu k svoim" has been operating for a year. The website features profiles of collaborators who have agreed to have their personal data published and are willing to leave for Russia. However, as of today, May 22, only one traitor has actually left for the terrorist state under the project.
"The state project 'Khochu k svoim' once again offers Russian authorities to organize the transfer of convicted agents who worked directly for them, on the condition of returning Ukrainians from Russian captivity. Each of them has voluntarily expressed the desire to move to Russia and openly calls Russians 'their own.' But 'their own' are in no rush to take them back," the project states.
Project 'Khochu k svoim'
The project was established by Ukraine's Defense Intelligence and Security Service of Ukraine. Its goal is to publicly disclose, with voluntary consent, information about collaborators who cooperated with or aided the enemy and now wish to relocate to Russia in exchange for the return of Ukrainian citizens from Russian captivity. As of April 30, about 300 collaborators have expressed this intention.
