The Ukrainian side hopes for a positive result in the exchange of hostages before the New Year, and members of illegal armed groups in Donetsk and Luhansk regions have confirmed the presence of 88 persons from the list of 157 people requested by Kyiv, Verkhovna Rada First Deputy Speaker Iryna Gerashchenko has said.

"As you know, the Ukrainian side is looking for all possibilities to release the hostages staying in the occupied territories. We confirmed our readiness to hand over to that side all the persons they request if this is in accordance with Ukrainian legislation - there is no violation of laws and procedures. The key to the release of all hostages is in the Kremlin. We hope that positive results will be achieved before the New Year," she told reporters in parliament on Thursday, November 16.

Gerashchenko recalled that the SBU's list currently included 157 Ukrainian hostages, whereas the other side had confirmed the presence of only 88 citizens.

"They confirmed only 88 of our people. Most of them are military. Most of them have been held in the Makiyivka colony for three years. Ukraine is ready to hand over more than 300 people whom that party requests," she said.

At the same time, Gerashchenko said that Ukraine "cannot agree to blackmail."

When asked whether Viktor Medvedchuk's intervention influenced the question of the exchange of prisoners, she said: "We must use all chances, opportunities, negotiators, who have some channels or opportunities. We must appeal to the Church, to all structures."

"We are at a very delicate stage... Now we must be as cautious as possible so as not to disrupt the process. Ukraine guarantees that it will do all the work that needs to be done from its side," Gerashchenko said.