Zelensky asks Aliyev to help free Kremlin prisoners

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has asked President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev to consider joining the process of the release of Ukrainians illegally detained by Russia, including Crimean Tatars.

He said this at a meeting with the Azerbaijani leader in Brussels on Wednesday, December 15, Ukrinform reports, citing the Ukrainian president's press service.

"The issue of liberating Ukrainian citizens, especially Crimean Tatars, who are illegally detained in Russia, is one of my key priorities. I will be grateful to you for your possible assistance in resolving this issue," Zelensky said.

He also thanked the president of Azerbaijan for supporting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine.

On November 26, Zelensky said he hoped that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and U.S. President Joe Biden will help release Ukrainian prisoners of war and hostages illegally held in Russia.

On December 10, Oleksiy Arestovych, spokesman for the Ukrainian delegation to the Trilateral Contact Group, said that the Ukrainian side offered three options for exchanging detainees - "13 for 13," "24 for 24" and "60 for 60," but Russia has rejected them so far.

Photo: President's Office