In the ether of the all-Ukrainian telethon on Freedom: UA, The Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine Iryna Vereshchuk said she called for joining the release of Ukrainian hostages by representatives of international legal organizations.

“Currently, there are about 600 russian prisoners in Ukraine – the official reminded. – We are constantly negotiating their exchange for our defenders. We compile lists and involve the International Committee of the Red Cross in the process. But there is a separate problem. The russian are holding hostages not only the military, but many civilian Ukrainians: mayors, journalists, volunteers, clergy, ordinary workers who have never taken up arms”.

As Iryna Vereshchuk explained, we have no one to change them for. Because russia sets a condition: the military – on the military, civilians – on civilians.

“I keep asking russians negotiators: should we also capture russians around the world to be an exchange fund? But we are not terrorists or pirates, so we will not act like that” – the official said.

“Russia has ratified the rules of international humanitarian law, but now does not fulfil it. The exchange of military for civilians is prohibited by the Geneva Convention. Therefore, I appeal to the international community and human rights organizations to demand the release of Ukrainian civilians from the occupiers!” – summed up the Deputy Prime Minister.