Ukraine is ready to consider the transfer to Russia arrested RIA Novosti Ukraine Editor-in-Chief Kirill Vyshinsky if the Russian Federation will release illegally convicted Oleg Sentsov. However, the final goal of Ukraine is to return home all Ukrainians held in the Russian Federation. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated this, answering questions of journalists, whether the Ukrainian side respond to Russia's statement regarding the issue of Kirill Vyshinsky as a gesture of goodwill.
"We are ready for releasing Vyshinsky and Sentsov simultaneously if we are talking about a goodwill gesture and really want it to happen in the near future. Sentsov is an example. But this is not a bargaining chip," the President said during a visit to the Ministry of Defense on Friday, July 19. Volodymyr Zelenskyy also mentioned that they are ready for releasing Vyshinsky and Sentsov simultaneously.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy also reminded that Russia must fulfill its obligations and release illegally convicted sailors.
"We do not talk about exchange of our sailors. We must return them," the President said.
The Head of State also reminded the Russian Federation about the need release all the Ukrainians who are illegally convicted. "We would like to receive all our political prisoners, all our military. If these are the first steps - we are ready", Volodymyr Zelenskyy summed up.