Kremlin Takes Note of Poroshenko’s Statements on Savchenko Swap

Moscow has taken note of a statement by Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko on his readiness to carry out a prisoner swap for Ukrainian national Nadezhda Savchenko with Russia as well of the news that she has started to consume liquids, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Thursday.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) – On Wednesday, Poroshenko said he was ready to perform a prisoner exchange with Russia to secure the prompt return of Savchenko to Ukraine. The following day, one of her lawyers, Nikolai Polozov said she had begun taking liquids but would continue the hunger strike.

"We, undoubtedly, took note of the yesterday's statement made by the Ukrainian president. I cannot say anything more [on this issue] but to add that we also have fixed today’s statement by Savchenko’s lawyer," Peskov told reporters. "We would like to remind once again that the trial is still under way."

Savchenko is suspected of helping to direct artillery fire near the eastern Ukrainian city of Lugansk on June 17, 2014, that led to the deaths of two Russian journalists, Igor Kornelyuk and Anton Voloshin.

The 34-year-old woman, is facing up to 25 years in prison if convicted. The sentencing by a Russian court in the southern Russian region of Rostov-on-Don has been scheduled for March 21-22.