Xi Jinping is standing by Putin despite his invasion of Ukraine, and recently ordered China to forge closer ties with Russia, report says
Business InsiderDec 24, 2022
Day 295: Dozens Exchanged in Russia-Ukraine Prison Swap
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Image copyright: Ukrainian Presidential Press Service [via the Washington Post]
The Facts
Dozens of people, including a US citizen, were exchanged in the latest prison swap between Russia and Ukraine earlier in the week, it was revealed late on Wednesday.
Andriy Yermak, the head of Ukraine's presidential office, said the exchange included 64 Ukrainian soldiers and a US national identified as Suedi Murekezi — a Rwanda native and US Air Force veteran who went to Ukraine in 2018. The bodies of four Ukrainians were also repatriated, Yermak said.
The Spin
Pro-establishment narrative
This invasion is an egregious violation of international law. Putin's ultimate aim is to restore the Soviet empire, even if it takes massive bloodshed and false pretexts such as calling the 2014 Ukrainian revolution after an election a "coup". This unprovoked attack is the latest chapter in Putin's Orwellian attempt to rewrite history.
Pro-Russia narrative
NATO and the US have ignored Russia's security concerns by breaking its promise not to expand eastward in return for German reunification. These concerns are legitimate and taking them seriously would have avoided the Ukraine tragedy.
