"I would like to point out that Moscow has never abandoned this work and never refused dialogue on prisoner exchange. Moreover, on our part, the existing governmental bodies and newly appointed representatives are working. They have never refused this work. They carry out their tasks set by the country's leadership at the highest level. Our position on this is unchanged and widely known, including in Ukraine," Zakharova said.
"This is all a political performance needed because public dissent is starting to brew in Ukraine. People are asking where the prisoners of war who were supposed to be exchanged actually are, and the Kiev regime, without responding to the citizens's questions and cushioning the real state of affairs, pretends that there are certain international efforts that, in its opinion, must put some kind of pressure on Russia," she said.