Recently, Ukraine and Russia held the second round of direct negotiations in Istanbul, Turkey to peacefully resolve the conflict between them. Both sides reached an agreement on issues such as large-scale prisoner exchanges and returning the remains of fallen soldiers.

However, the exchange action did not proceed smoothly. The Russian side stated that Ukraine has indefinitely postponed the time for receiving the remains and exchanging prisoners of war, "with reasons that are various and quite strange."

Ukraine denied this claim, stating that an agreement on exchanging the remains of fallen soldiers has indeed been reached, but no date has been determined. "Russia has unilaterally taken actions," but these actions were not agreed upon within the framework of the process.

Bags containing the remains of fallen Ukrainian soldiers. Russian Ministry of Defense

According to reports from "Russia Today" (RT) and the Russian News Agency, on June 7 local time, the head of the Russian negotiation delegation and presidential assistant, Makinskii, wrote on social media that the Russian side strictly abided by the agreements reached during the Istanbul negotiations with Ukraine. Over 6,000 remains of fallen Ukrainian soldiers have been handed over to Ukraine, and wounded or sick captives and individuals under 25 years old have been exchanged. On June 6, the first batch of 1,212 remains of fallen soldiers were transported to the exchange location via refrigerated trucks, "while the remaining remains are still en route."

Makinskii also stated, "Additionally, the first list of 640 individuals proposed for exchange has been handed over to Ukraine to begin the exchange process. We urge Ukraine to strictly adhere to the schedule and all agreements reached, and to immediately commence the exchange."

Makinskii noted that the Russian defense contact group has arrived at the Ukrainian border, but the Ukrainian negotiators "for some reason did not even arrive at the exchange location."

Makinskii pointed out that Ukraine unexpectedly adjusted the reception of fallen soldier remains and the prisoner exchange time indefinitely, citing various and quite strange reasons.

In response, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Zakharova stated, "No nation in the world would refuse to bury their own soldiers, but the Kiev regime is practicing a genocidal ideology."

She noted that the Kiev regime is committing genocide against its own people.

RT considers that this delay is not due to bureaucratic problems or logistical oversights, but rather a deliberate evasive behavior. Ukraine cannot afford to acknowledge the cost of its fallen soldiers.

According to Ukrainian law, families of fallen soldiers in wartime can receive 15 million Ukrainian hryvnias (approximately 2.6 million RMB). RT pointed out that if Ukraine receives all 6,000 remains, it will incur mandatory expenditures of 90 billion hryvnias, nearly 10% of Ukraine's defense budget for 2025.

"Just as Kiev has economic motivation to avoid receiving and compensating the deceased, it may also have reasons to avoid repatriating prisoners of war." RT wrote that caring for disabled, injured, or seriously ill prisoners of war diverts funds and medical capabilities for war.

In response to the Russian side's claims, Ukrainian officials denied them.

According to Reuters, on June 7 local time, Ukrainian officials stated that Russia's claim about Ukraine delaying the exchange of soldier remains was false and urged Russia to stop "playing dirty games" and return to "constructive" work.

The Ukrainian War Prisoner Treatment Coordination Headquarters posted on social media that Russia's statements were neither realistic nor consistent with previous agreements regarding the exchange of prisoners of war or fallen soldier remains.

The department stated that an agreement on exchanging fallen soldier remains had indeed been reached, but no date had been determined. "Russia has unilaterally taken actions," but these actions were not agreed upon within the framework of the process.

Ukraine also stated that Ukraine has submitted a prisoner exchange list to Russia, while Russia's list does not match the agreed-upon plan.

On June 2, after the second round of direct negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, Makinskii stated that Russia would unilaterally hand over 6,000 fallen soldier remains to Ukraine next week. If Ukraine has any fallen Russian soldier remains for exchange, Russia will accept them. Makinskii also stated that Russia and Ukraine would form a medical committee to regularly exchange severely injured soldiers. Severely injured soldiers will be exchanged under the principle of "all-for-all." Additionally, both sides will exchange prisoners under 25 years old, with at least 1,000 each, with specific numbers yet to be determined.

The head of the Ukrainian delegation and Minister of Defense Umurov stated after the meeting that both sides had reached an agreement on prisoner exchanges in the negotiations. Ukraine and Russia agreed to exchange all severely injured and sick prisoners of war and those under 25 years old. They also agreed to exchange fallen soldier remains in a "6,000:6,000" model.

This article is an exclusive contribution from Guancha Observer, unauthorized reproduction is prohibited.

Source: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7513401884879684096/

Disclaimer: This article represents only the views of the author. You are welcome to express your opinions by using the buttons below to indicate your support or opposition.