The idea of exchanging RIA Novosti Ukraine web portal chief Kirill Vyshinsky, who remains in custody in Ukraine, for some of the Ukrainian nationals detained in Russia interests those who want to use journalists as a bargaining chip in the implementation of "dishonest" plans, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Wednesday
MOSCOW (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 16th January, 2019) The idea of exchanging RIA Novosti Ukraine web portal chief Kirill Vyshinsky, who remains in custody in Ukraine, for some of the Ukrainian nationals detained in Russia interests those who want to use journalists as a bargaining chip in the implementation of "dishonest" plans, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Wednesday.
"Speaking about the idea of a swap, which some might view as an interesting one, I do not believe that it will contribute to making the Ukrainian authorities return to respecting their obligations with regard to journalists. Such ideas might only interest those, who are ready to use journalists as a bargaining chip in the implementation of their dishonest goals," Lavrov said at a press conference in Moscow.
Vyshinsky was detained in Kiev on May 15 on suspicion of supporting the breakaway eastern Ukrainian regions and on treason charges. The maximum penalty for such offense is 15 years of imprisonment. In late December, Vyshinsky's detention was extended until January 27.
