<?xml version="1.0" encoding="ISO-8859-1"?> <docID>337640</docID> <postdate>2025-02-05 10:01:44</postdate> <headline>Ukraine promises to negotiate swap for captured Aussie</headline> <body><p><img class=" wp-image-337237" src="https://citynews.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/r0_0_800_600_w1200_h678_fmax-2-e1738709942884.webp" alt="" width="703" height="468" /></p> <caption>Russia is reportedly holding Australian Oscar Jenkins after he was captured fighting for Ukraine. (HANDOUT/'SLADKOV+' TELEGRAM ACCOUNT)</caption> <p><span class="kicker-line">By<strong> Jacob Shteyman</strong> in Canberra</span></p> <p><strong>The leaders of Australia and Ukraine have discussed military aid and captured Australian Oscar Jenkins in a call ahead of the anniversary of Russia's invasion.</strong></p> <p>The Ukrainian government has promised to negotiate the exchange of captured Australian Oscar Jenkins as the two nations reiterate their co-operation against Russia's invasion.</p> <p>Ukrainian ambassador to Australia Vasyl Myroshnychenko said his government has added Mr Jenkins to its list of prisoners of war after Russian officials confirmed the 32-year-old Melburnian was alive and in captivity.</p> <p>"He had a contract with the Ukrainian Defence Forces so all the international law applies to him. So he will get on that list," Mr Myroshnychenko told ABC TV on Wednesday.</p> <p>There have been grave concerns for Mr Jenkins' safety since a video of him being interrogated by Russian soldiers in eastern Ukraine was circulated online in December.</p> <p>Russia has previously expressed its view that foreign fighters serving with Ukrainian forces are mercenaries and can be liable to prosecution.</p> <p>But as a prisoner of war, Mr Jenkins would be entitled to legal protections under the Geneva Convention.</p> <p>"The Ukrainian government certainly will be negotiating his exchange," Mr Myroshnychenko said.</p> <p>"I understand the Australian government may do something similar but this is not for me to comment. I will definitely only talk on behalf of my own government.</p> <p>"We have exchanged previously lots of prisoners of war and we swap them for Russian prisoners of war."</p> <p>Prime Minister Anthony Albanese raised Mr Jenkins' welfare directly with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy for the first time in a phone call overnight ahead of the three-year anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.</p> <p>Mr Zelenskiy called for an investigation into how Mr Jenkins ended up in Russian hands.</p> <p>"We must establish all the circumstances surrounding the case of Australian citizen Oscar Jenkins, who fought for Ukraine and has been taken prisoner by Russia," Mr Zelenskiy said on social media.</p> <p>Mr Zelenskiy thanked Mr Albanese for Australia's "unwavering" support of Ukraine and said the two countries were working to expedite a new defence aid package.</p> <p>"We discussed strengthening sanctions against Russia for its war, and Australia is ready to take further steps," the president said.</p> <p>"We also addressed diplomatic efforts and appreciate Australia's firm stance that all substantive negotiations on Ukraine must include Ukraine - this is the only way to achieve a just peace."</p> <p>It will be three years since Russia commenced its full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24.</p> </body>