Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine Iryna Vereschuk called on representatives of international legal organizations to join the release of Ukrainian hostages.

"Currently, there are about 600 Russian prisoners in Ukraine. We are continuously negotiating their exchange for our defenders. We draw up lists, involve the International Committee of the Red Cross in the process. But there is also a separate problem. The Russians are holding hostage not only the military, but also many Ukrainian civilians: mayors of cities, journalists, volunteers, clergymen, ordinary workers who have never taken up arms," Vereschuk is quoted by the ministry's press service.

The Deputy Prime Minister stressed that the Russian side puts a condition: the military – for the military, civilians – for civilians.

"I constantly ask negotiators from the Russian side: should we also capture Russians around the world to put them up as an exchange fund? But we are not terrorists or pirates, so we will not act like that," she added.

Vereschuk also accused Russia of non-compliance with international humanitarian law. "The exchange of military for civilians is prohibited by the Geneva Convention. Therefore, I appeal to the international community and human rights organizations with a demand to work together to achieve the release of Ukrainian civilians from the occupiers! This is the only way out in this situation," the Deputy Prime Minister concluded.