Zelenskyy: Unfortunately we haven’t had any response from Russia to Medvedchuk exchange offer

Kateryna Tyshchenko - Tuesday, 19 April 2022, 22:50

President Volodymyr Zelensky regrets that there has been no response from Russia to the suggestion made by Viktor Medvedchuk (Ukrainian MP of the Opposition Platform party whose daughter’s godfather is Vladimir Putin) that he be exchanged for residents and defenders of Mariupol.

Source: Presidential address

Quote: "Unfortunately, we have had no response from Russia to the exchange offer, which could save the civilians and defenders of Mariupol.

And this silence should be noted by all who have been or may be associated with Russia. When your fate is being decided, Moscow will be silent. This speaks volumes. And it’s the best reason to steer clear of the Russian Federation."

Background:

On 18 April, the Security Service of Ukraine shared Viktor Medvedchuk’s video address, in which he made a suggestion to President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian president Vladimir Putin that he be exchanged for "the defenders of Mariupol and residents who are still there and unable to leave safely through humanitarian corridors".

Senior Ukrainian Presidential Advisor Mykhailo Podoliak said that Ukraine was ready to exchange Viktor Medvedchuk for all the defenders and residents of Mariupol, but he said he doubted that Russia would go for it.

On 19 April, Kremlin representatives stated that they had seen Medvedchuk's appeal, but no reaction had followed yet.