Ukraine rebels blame Kiev for halt in prisoner swaps

KIEV, Ukraine 

Rebels with the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic in eastern Ukraine have said they have halted a prisoner swap with the government due to Kiev’s alleged refusal to release some separatists, according to the Novorossiya news agency.

The Russian-Ukrainian agency reported Monday that Darya Morozova, head of the Donetsk separatists’ refugees and prisoners committee, had said they had temporarily halted the process -- seen as one of the crucial parts of a fragile truce reached in September between Kiev and separatist rebels to end almost five months of conflict.

Morozova was quoted as saying: "The Kiev administration is unwilling to set free our supporters appearing on our list.

"No hostage and prisoner swap will take place unless Kiev releases them."

The cease-fire reached September 5 in the Belarusian capital of Minsk set up a 12-point peace plan, which included the prisoners releases as well as the creation of an internationally-monitored, 30-kilometre buffer zone, and the decentralization of power and amnesty for those involved in separatist actions in eastern Ukraine.

Several rounds of prisoner exchanges have reportedly taken place since September 20, the day the cease-fire was enforced.

On Friday, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko announced that 1,342 Ukrainian captives had been freed during the cease-fire.

Ukraine's east was the scene of constant fighting between government forces and pro-Russian separatists who, in Donetsk and Lugansk, declared their intention to break away from Kiev, eyeing a repeat of the situation in Crimea which was annexed by Moscow after a controversial referendum in March.

Western countries have blamed Russia for instigating the conflict in Ukraine and supporting separatist groups, and have sought to punish Moscow by imposing economic sanctions following the annexation of Crimea.

www.aa.com.tr/en