Primate of UOC: Exchange of prisoners is the first step towards ending the war

His Beatitude Metropolitan Onufry of Kiev and All Ukraine said that he found the exchange of prisoners the first step towards ending the war in the Donbass. Vladyka expressed this opinion in a comment to the NewsOne TV channel on December 27 at the Kharkov airport, where they met released Ukrainian servicemen.

"I hope and I believe that this is so, that the exchange of prisoners is the first step to ending the war in the Donbass," said His Beatitude and indicated the conditions necessary for this. "For this to happen, the first thing you need is good will and benevolence. The Сhurch works only in the sphere of mercy, if there is no mercy, we will not have any success. We must forgive each other – and this will guarantee that the prisoners will be released and return to their families, and peace will reign in our state."

As for the next exchange of prisoners, Vladyka said that it was difficult for him to set the dates, but he believed that it would happen soon.

"The first step, very important, has already been done," stressed the Primate of the UOC. "The wall that stood between us, Ukrainians, and divided us into two parts, has already been broken. This wall is broken and, God grant, it will be destroyed."

On December 27, an exchange of prisoners took place in the Donbass, with the active participation of the UOC. The deal was to swap 73 Ukrainian soldiers, who were in captivity in the uncontrolled territories of the Donbass, for 233 rebels.