Putin's crony to visit Minsk for Donbas talks

Viktor Medvedchuk takes part in the talks over releasing Ukrainian hostages who are held captive by militants.

It is said in a press release published by the Security Council of Ukraine on December 23.

“The Security Council has come to a conclusion that it would be reasonable to use non-standard measures to release these people before Christmas. The Council finds it reasonable to involve the SSU first deputy head, chief of the SSU Counterterrorism Centre Vasily Hrytsak, head of the coordination centre for releasing hostages Yury Tandit in the working group and invite Viktor Medvedchuk to join the group,” the press release reads.

The Security Council reports that as of December 23, 1351 citizens of Ukraine have been released, but hundreds are still held captive.

The OSCE's representative Heidi Tagliavini says that four blocs of issues will be discussed at the meeting of the trilateral contact group in Minsk: a ceasefire observed by all parties, withdrawing military hardware by all parties, exchanging captives “all for all” and humanitarian aid deliveries to rebel-controlled areas to prevent a humanitarian catastrophe.

The meeting, which is scheduled for December 24, will be held behind closed doors.