UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres welcomed the exchange of prisoners between Ukraine and militants held on December 27. The report of Guterres was published on the official website of the United Nations.

Antonio Guterres expressed hope that the exchange of prisoners will be a step towards strengthening confidence between the parties to the conflict.

Also, the UN Secretary General called on all those involved to observe the ceasefire agreement and continue to work to fulfill all of their obligations under the Minsk agreements.

On Wednesday, December 27, on the line of demarcation near Gorlovka, Donetsk region, an exchange of prisoners captured by the parties to an armed conflict in eastern Ukraine took place. In the course of the exchange 73 Ukrainians were detained, held on territories beyond Kyiv's control. In turn, the Ukrainian side handed 233 people to the separatists.