Ukraine Arrests Putin's Close Ally on 'Treason Charges'... Zelensky Proposes Prisoner Exchange (Summary)

Arrested Viktor Medvedchuk [Image source= Volodymyr Zelensky, President of Ukraine, Facebook]

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Byung-hee] Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on the 12th (local time) that Viktor Medvedchuk (photo), a close friend of Russian President Vladimir Putin and an opposition politician accused of treason, has been arrested. President Zelensky proposed a prisoner exchange to the Russian government.

President Zelensky stated on his social media account that the Ukrainian Security Service carried out a special operation to arrest Medvedchuk. He also released a photo of the arrested Medvedchuk. Wearing handcuffs, Medvedchuk was dressed in Ukrainian military uniform to evade pursuit.

President Zelensky wrote, "(The operation) was excellent. I will reveal the specific arrest process later. Glory to Ukraine."

A few hours later, President Zelensky also proposed a prisoner exchange. In a speech, he said, "I propose to the Russian Federation to exchange Medvedchuk and Ukrainians held as prisoners in Russia."

Medvedchuk was placed under house arrest last year on charges of treason. However, he escaped immediately after Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24. Medvedchuk is known as the Ukrainian politician closest to Putin. He has even said that Putin is the godfather of his daughter. He is also the leader of the pro-Russian party and Ukraine's largest opposition party, For Life.

As an opposition politician, Medvedchuk strongly opposed Ukraine's accession to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). Some speculate that if Putin had overthrown the Zelensky government, Medvedchuk would have become the representative candidate of a puppet government in Ukraine.

The Ukrainian Security Service also posted a photo of the arrested Medvedchuk on its official Twitter account. The Security Service stated it will pursue and punish traitors to the end. They emphasized, "One may wear Ukrainian military uniform for disguise. But does that help avoid punishment? Not at all. Handcuffs await. Other traitors will be punished like Medvedchuk. No matter where traitors hide, the Security Service will find them."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.