Two Of Their Citizens Arrested By Russia Want A Prisoner Swap, British Officials Say

Viktor Medvedchuck. (Wikimedia Commons/Kremlin.ru/The Presidential Press and Information Office)

JAKARTA - A senior British minister has said the country will not seek ways to help Russia, over the possibility of a prisoner swap between President Vladimir Putin's ally, Viktor Medvedchuk, and two Britons captured by Russian forces.

Two Britons appeared on Russian state television on Monday, asking to be swapped for Medvedchuck, after being arrested by Russian troops for joining Ukrainian forces.

Asked on Sky News if a possible swap was something the government would involve, Britain's Minister for Northern Ireland said: "We're actually going through the process of sanctioning people close to the Putin regime. We're not going to help Russia." April.

Lewis further said he did not want to comment on the specific situation of the two men, Shaun Pinner and Aiden Aslin.

"We have always had a responsibility to British citizens, which we take seriously. We have to get the balance right in Ukraine and that's why I tell anyone: don't travel illegally to Ukraine."

The UK's Foreign Enrollment Act prohibits its citizens from joining foreign militaries fighting countries that are at peace with Britain. Previously, the British Secretary of Defense and Foreign Affairs had warned their citizens not to fight in Ukraine as the Russian invasion began on February 24.

The Moscow invasion, which Russia describes as a special operation, is in its second phase according to Ukrainian officials, after Russian forces launched an anticipated offensive in eastern Ukraine.

"The armed forces in Ukraine have the support of Britain. We continue to provide that support and that's the right way to do it," said Lewis.