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Donetsk leader hopes for progress in prisoner swap issue in early 2019

The DPR head added that the republic hopes for international community’s assistance on the issue

DONETSK, December 27. /TASS/. The authorities of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR) hope for progress in talks with Kiev on the exchange of prisoners in early 2019, but expect no swap to take place before the New Year's eve, DPR head Denis Pushilin said during a question-and-answer session with the republic’s residents on Thursday.

"Sadly, chances of holding a prisoner exchange this year are indeed minimal. We can only hope that the beginning of the next year will bring some efficient solutions. Little depends on us, we have our hands tied on the issue," the Donetsk News Agency quoted him as saying.

The DPR head added that the unrecognized republic hopes for international community’s assistance on the issue.

"We should urge them to be persistent in putting pressure on Ukraine [on the matter of prisoner exchanges]," he said.

The first question-and-answer session in DPR was held after the November 2014 elections. This year, more than 2,000 questions were submitted.

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