Drafting MoU to end conflict between Russia, Ukraine in final phase -- official

MOSCOW, May 24 (KUNA) -- Russia declared on Saturday that working out a memorandum of understanding with Ukraine to resolve the three-year conflict reached the final stage.
Russia is preparing to present "an official document to the Ukrainian side including its terms to reach a comprehensive settlement," said Deputy Chairman of the Russian Federal Council Konstantin Kosachev, in a press statement.
The document will be handed over to Kyiv in the coming days, he said, affirming that the drafting of the memo reached the final phase.
His remarks came following a declaration by President Vladimir Putin that he had told U.S. President Donald Trump by telephone that he was ready to coordinate with Kyiv on working out a MoU to pave the way for reaching a peace treaty with Ukraine. He had also hinted that it would stipulate a cease-fire and basis for a permanent solution to the strife.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, for his part, had assured Trump that Kyiv was ready to sign such a memo with Russia.
The declaration about progress in drawing up the memo for conciliation coincided with an announcement by the Russian Ministry of Defense that 307 Russian troops who were held by the Ukrainians were set free as part of a prisoners' swap deal.
The ministry affirmed that an identical number of Ukrainian troops were released in line with a bilateral agreement reached in Istanbul on May 6.
The freed Russian personnel were transported to Belarus where they are undergoing medical checkups, pending their return home, the ministry added. (end) Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, 2022. (end) dan.rk