A government minister said on Tuesday that the UK is not interested in swapping pro-Russian oligarch and Ukrainian politician Viktor Medvedchuk for two British fighters captured by Russian forces.

It is not looking forward to helping Moscow.

Two captive Britons fought with the UK armed forces. They fought against Russia, volunteering with the Ukrainian military.

Brandon Lewis, Northern Ireland Secretary said, “They shouldn’t have been there, it is an illegal act to be there.”

He said about exchanging the Britons, “We’re actually going through the process of sanctioning people who are close to the [Russian President Vladimir] Putin regime. We’re not going to be looking at how we can help Russia.”

“We always have a responsibility for British citizens which we take seriously,” he said.

“We’ve got to get the balance right with Ukraine, that’s why I say to anybody, do not travel illegally to Ukraine. The armed forces of Ukraine have the support of the UK. We’re continuing to put that support in and that’s the right way to do it.”

Lewis suggested the people to help Ukraine financially, rather than taking dangerous or illegal steps

Medvedchuk was apprehended in a “special operation,” according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Oksana Marchenko, his wife, has made tapes pleading for her husband’s release in return for British nationals kidnapped.