MOSCOW, October 7 (RIA Novosti) - Ukrainian forces and the Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) are negotiating a date for the next prisoner exchange, a spokesperson for the Ukrainian Security Service's Interdepartmental Center for Nationals concerning the release of prisoners told RIA Novosti Tuesday.
"The talks are underway. Nobody has halted the exchange. It will take place once the sides agree," the spokesperson said.
Earlier on Monday, the head of the Donetsk committee on prisoner exchange Darya Morozova told RIA Novosti that the authorities of the self-proclaimed republics in the Donbas were ready to conduct a prisoner exchange with the Ukrainian forces. However, she said the process had stalled since Kiev did not hand over prisoners who were claimed to be on the list even though the DPR and LPR (Luhansk People's Republic) presented all the details, Morozova added.
In April, Ukrainian authorities launched a military operation in the country's southeast, where independence supporters refused to accept the new government following a coup in February.
The self-proclaimed Donetsk and Luhansk people's republics in eastern Ukraine held referendums this May on self-determination. Over 90 percent of voters cast their votes for greater autonomy, leading the republics to declare themselves sovereign states.
On September 5, the Trilateral Contact Group on the situation in Ukraine met in Minsk. As a result of the meeting, the Kiev authorities and the self-proclaimed people's republics agreed on a ceasefire, which took effect on the same day. The sides also agreed to international monitoring, exchange of prisoners in an "all for all" format and the opening of humanitarian corridors.
Despite the Minsk agreements, the exchanges are currently taking place in a "one for one" format.
On Friday, LPR Head Igor Plotnitsky stated that the Ukrainian forces and independence supporters would soon conduct an exchange of prisoners in "15 for 15".
In total five exchanges have taken place between Kiev and DPR, the most recent at the end of September.
