LONDON (Reuters) -Britain is just not going to be taking a look at the best way to assist Russia, a senior minister stated on Tuesday when requested concerning the prospect of swapping pro-Russian politician Viktor Medvedchuk for 2 British fighters who have been captured in Ukraine by Russian forces.

The Britons appeared on Russian state TV on Monday and requested to be exchanged for Medvedchuk, a Ukrainian ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin who’s being held by the Ukrainian authorities.

Requested on Sky Information whether or not a doable swap was one thing the federal government would get entangled with, Britain’s Northern Eire minister Brandon Lewis stated: “We’re really going by the method of sanctioning people who find themselves near Putin regime, we’re not going to be taking a look at how we may also help Russia.”

Lewis stated he didn’t need to touch upon the precise scenario of the 2 males, Shaun Pinner and Aiden Aslin.

“We at all times have duty for British residents, which we take critically. We have to get the steadiness proper in Ukraine and that is why I say to anyone: don’t journey illegally to Ukraine,” Lewis stated.

The UK’s International Enlistment Act blocks residents from becoming a member of international militaries preventing international locations at peace with Britain, and the federal government’s international secretary and defence minister have warned towards Britons preventing in Ukraine after the warfare started in late February. [L2N2VA2BG]

Moscow’s invasion, which Russia has known as a “particular operation”, is in its second part in accordance with Ukrainian officers after Russian forces launched their anticipated offensive in jap Ukraine.

“The armed forces in Ukraine have the help of the UK,” Lewis stated. “We proceed to place that help in and that is the proper method to do it.”