Lubinets announced an agreement with Russia for systematic prisoner exchanges starting in 2025.

Ukraine and Russia have agreed to conduct systematic prisoner exchanges in 2025. This was reported by the Human Rights Commissioner Dmytro Lubinets in an interview with the "Rada" television channel.

“We (Russia and Ukraine – ed.) have tentatively agreed that our exchanges should occur systematically. I do not want this to sound like an announcement. We will see if the Russian side keeps its word. If so, the Ukrainian public will witness this systematization through the number and timing of exchanges,” said Dmytro Lubinets.

Dmytro Lubinets also mentioned that based on these agreements, Ukraine is already compiling lists of individuals it plans to repatriate. Priority will be given to those who are severely injured or ill, as well as those who have been in Russian captivity the longest.

“I believe this is an entirely understandable approach for both sides. I received confirmation from Moskalkova (Tatyana Moskalkova – the Russian Human Rights Commissioner – ed.) that they are ready to compile lists in this manner, based on these principles,” said the Human Rights Commissioner.

Additionally, Russia and Ukraine agreed that in 2025, every Ukrainian military and civilian prisoner will receive a package of supplies from Ukraine with the assistance of the International Committee of the Red Cross.

Dmytro Lubinets also noted that the Defense Forces' operation in the Kursk region positively impacted the situation regarding prisoner exchanges between Russia and Ukraine. He emphasized that two days after the operation began in Kursk, the Russian side reached out to Ukraine for the first time with a proposal to conduct an exchange.

Recall that on December 30, 2024, Ukraine returned 189 compatriots from Russian captivity. This is one of the largest exchanges since the full-scale invasion.