The warring countries have met in a couple of meetings in recent weeks and then agreed on new exchanges of prisoners, even if not much has emerged to suggest that they are closer to an end to the fighting. On Monday, they were said to have agreed to hand over all injured soldiers as well as prisoners of war who are under 25 years old.
"The Ukrainian side has unexpectedly postponed it to an indefinite future, both the reception of remains and the exchange of prisoners of war," writes Russia's chief negotiator, President Putin's adviser Vladimir Medinsky, on social media.
According to Medinsky, Russia has transported a group of prisoners for the first part of the exchange. He urges Ukraine to "follow the schedule".
Ukraine responds through its coordination headquarters for the handling of prisoners of war, which dismisses the Russian accusations. In a written statement, the headquarters states that there is no agreed date for the return of remains and that Russia is not adhering to what was agreed upon regarding the exchange of prisoners of war. They accuse Moscow of engaging in "dirty games" and manipulation.
So far during the talks, the Ukrainian side has consistently pointed out that Russia is making sky-high demands that they know will not be accepted and that the invading power is thus delaying the process. Both sides are eager to show the US that they are willing to be part of a peace process.
