Kremlin rejects Zelensky’s proposal to exchange Ukraine’s Putin ally: Reports

Ukrainian President, in his early address to the nation on Wednesday morning, had said that he proposes to the Russian Federation: exchange this guy of yours for our guys and girls now held in Russian captivity.

New Delhi: Hours after Ukraine’s proposal to release prisoners of war if the Kremlin wants its most high-profile ally Viktor Medvedchuk freed, the latter has rejected the idea. Medvedchuk, the leader of the Opposition Platform – For Life party, had been apprehended by Ukraine.

Viktor Medvedchuk, a 67-year-old pro-Russian figure and one of Ukraine’s richest people, maintains that President Vladimir Putin is godfather to his daughter. He always denies wrongdoing.

A day before the Kremlin rejected the proposal, Ukrainian authorities had announced to apprehend Medvedchuk who had fled from his house after Russian forces started an invasion in Ukraine on February 14.

Ukrainian President, in his early address to the nation on Wednesday, had said that he proposes to the Russian Federation: exchange this guy of yours for our guys and girls now held in Russian captivity.

To show its solidarity with war-hit Ukraine, the United States is likely to supply more weapons to counter Russia. The US authorities have reportedly taken the decision to this effect as Russia has been signalling to intensify the war.

For the first time, US President bidden has referred to Russia’s attack on Ukraine as genocide. Russia, however, has denied killing civilians in Ukraine.

Hailing the bidden’s statement, Zelensky had said that his forces required heavier weapons to counter Russian attack. He tweeted, “without additional weaponry, this war will become an endless bloodbath, spreading misery, suffering, and destruction. Mariupol, Bucha, Kramatorsk – the list will be continued. Nobody will stop Russia except Ukraine with Heavy Weapons. #ArmUkraineNow.”

Zelensky, in another tweet, said, “Continued constant dialogue with @POTUS. Assessed Russian war crimes. Discussed additional package of defensive and possible macro-financial aid . Agreed to enhance sanctions. “We urgently need more heavy weapons to prevent further Russian atrocities,” Zelenskiy wrote on Twitter as he hailed Biden’s comments on genocide.