People convicted in accordance with Russian laws cannot be regarded as prisoners - Peskov on possible exchange of held persons with Ukraine
MOSCOW. Dec 28 (Interfax) - Russia will take all measures to free the Russian citizens detained in Ukraine, but people convicted in the Russian Federation are not prisoners, Russian presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov said, speaking of the possibility of prisoner exchange between Moscow and Kyiv.
"No doubt, Moscow is interested in seeing its citizens home. And, of course, we will be prepared to take all measures necessary to free Russian citizens," Peskov told reporters, responding to a question as to whether Moscow is interested in exchanging with Ukraine persons detained on the territory of the respective countries.
"As to, for example, some people whom you probably mean and who were convicted here, in Russia, they undoubtedly cannot be regarded as prisoners or captives. They were convicted in Russia in accordance with Russian legislation," he said.
Such issues are resolved at the top level, Peskov said. "And everything depends on the decisions made by the president."