Zelenski makes export of Russian ammonia conditional on release of Ukrainian prisoners

Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelenski has reported his readiness to allow the export of Russian ammonia through a pipeline in Odessa in exchange for Russia’s release of Ukrainian prisoners.

“I am against the supply of ammonia from the Russian Federation through our territory. I would only do this in exchange for our prisoners. That is what I proposed to the United Nations,” the Ukrainian head of state has said.

The UN proposed to resume transit of ammonia, produced by the Russian fertilizer plant Uralchem, through a pipeline to Odessa, where it would be bought by the U.S. commodity trader Trammo, UNIAN agency reports.

In this regard, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dimitro Kuleba already warned that his government would not accept any deal that would be contrary to Kiev’s security interests.

On the other hand, Zelenski has reported that, during the Ukrainian counteroffensive in the Kharkov region, the Ukrainian Armed Forces have captured “hundreds of Russian soldiers”, although he has acknowledged that, despite this, Moscow has in custody more prisoners of war than Kiev.