Iryna Vereshchuk: We will demand the release of all Ukrainian hostages

Deputy Prime Minister - Minister for Reintegration of the Temporarily Occupied Territories of Ukraine Iryna Vereshchuk on the air of the All-Ukrainian TV Marathon on the Freedom: UA channel has called for joint efforts of representatives of international legal organizations in the release of Ukrainian hostages.

"At present, there are about 600 Russian prisoners in Ukraine," the Deputy Prime Minister 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 russians are holding hostages not only the military, but many civilian Ukrainians: mayors, journalists, volunteers, clergy, ordinary workers who have never held a weapon. "

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 russian 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," Iryna Vereschuk said.

"russia has ratified the rules of international humanitarian law, but now it is not. 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.