Prime Minister Liz Truss said on Wednesday that five British nationals held by Russian-backed forces in eastern Ukraine are being returned to their families.
“Hugely welcome news that five British nationals held by Russian-backed proxies in eastern Ukraine are being safely returned, ending months of uncertainty and suffering for them and their families.
She thanked Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky “for his efforts to secure the release of detainees, and Saudi Arabia for their assistance”.
“Russia must end the ruthless exploitation of prisoners of war and civilian detainees for political ends,” Ms Truss added.
In this case nowt to do with Zelensky, all the plaudits should be going to MBS and the Saudi government for taking some action on this to find a solution for these foreign fighters.
That is, unless they needed Zelensky to authorise a equal amount of high profile Russian POWs which I assume is what has happened reading the Saudi statement as a “prisoner exchange”.
Honestly I’m very surprised this happened and hope those released get back to their families as soon as possible.
Aiden Aslin has been confirmed as one of the five by Robert Jenrick
I never expected the Russians to actually execute Aiden but I didn’t imagine they’d release him either. Well done to Saudi Arabia for getting these nationals released.
How does it work in terms or what they can now do? Aiden is still a member of the Ukrainian Marines. Can he just go back to what’s left of the unit and pick up a rifle, or do these agreements come with a clause that you’re going home and staying put for the duration of the war (not that that can be very enforceable).
Trying to get a little bit of good PR before they’re annexing parts of Ukraine next week, upping the chance of WW3 happening.
Truss forgot to mention what russia gets in return
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***From our Chief Reporter Robert Mendick:***
Prime Minister Liz Truss said on Wednesday that five British nationals held by Russian-backed forces in eastern Ukraine are being returned to their families.
“Hugely welcome news that five British nationals held by Russian-backed proxies in eastern Ukraine are being safely returned, ending months of uncertainty and suffering for them and their families.
She thanked Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky “for his efforts to secure the release of detainees, and Saudi Arabia for their assistance”.
“Russia must end the ruthless exploitation of prisoners of war and civilian detainees for political ends,” Ms Truss added.
**Read more for free:** [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2022/09/21/five-british-nationals-held-russian-backed-forces-released-liz/](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2022/09/21/five-british-nationals-held-russian-backed-forces-released-liz/)
In this case nowt to do with Zelensky, all the plaudits should be going to MBS and the Saudi government for taking some action on this to find a solution for these foreign fighters.
That is, unless they needed Zelensky to authorise a equal amount of high profile Russian POWs which I assume is what has happened reading the Saudi statement as a “prisoner exchange”.
Honestly I’m very surprised this happened and hope those released get back to their families as soon as possible.
Aiden Aslin has been confirmed as one of the five by Robert Jenrick
I never expected the Russians to actually execute Aiden but I didn’t imagine they’d release him either. Well done to Saudi Arabia for getting these nationals released.
How does it work in terms or what they can now do? Aiden is still a member of the Ukrainian Marines. Can he just go back to what’s left of the unit and pick up a rifle, or do these agreements come with a clause that you’re going home and staying put for the duration of the war (not that that can be very enforceable).
Trying to get a little bit of good PR before they’re annexing parts of Ukraine next week, upping the chance of WW3 happening.
Truss forgot to mention what russia gets in return