Viktor Medvedchuk, leader of the pubic movement Ukrainian Choice - People's Right, said he hopes that the first stage of prisoner exchange between Kyiv and Donbas can be conducted before the New Year holidays in accordance with the previously reached agreements.

"Our goal is to release these 306 [prisoners] before the New Year and Christmas holidays, as was stated. Preparations now remain to be done [by the Ukrainian side]," Medvedchuk told reporters in Minsk on Wednesday.

Luhansk and Donetsk are ready to give 74 prisoners for exchange, he said.

"After that readiness, we will determine the date, time and place where the people released by each party will be handed over," Medvedchuk said, adding that he is talking about both POWs and civilians.

After the first stage of the exchange using the 'all for all principle', the second stage will be organized, in which Ukraine will release the remaining 80 prisoners and Donbas will release the remaining 20 people, he said.