By Aamir Latif
KARACHI, Pakistan (AA) - Ukraine promised Wednesday that it will attempt to negotiate the release of an Australian national who is reportedly being held in Russian captivity.
Oscar Jenkins, who went to Ukraine to fight and was captured by Russian forces, is believed to be alive.
Ukraine's ambassador to Australia, Vasyl Myroshnychenko, said Jenkins will be listed as a prisoner of war by Ukraine, as he had a contract with the Ukrainian Defense Forces, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation reported.
His comments come after Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese spoke to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy about Jenkins' welfare.
Until recently, Jenkins, who had been fighting against Russia, was feared dead.
In December, video footage emerged of Jenkins being interrogated by Russian forces.
Moscow later informed the Australian government that the 32-year-old from Melbourne is alive and being held by the Russian Armed Forces.
Speaking to ABC News, Myroshnychenko said that "all the international law applies to him" as a prisoner of war.
Albanese, in a post on X, said he had a "positive discussion" with Zelenskyy, emphasizing Australia's support for Ukraine.
"Australia stands with the courageous and inspirational Ukrainian people in their defense of national sovereignty and the international rule of law," he wrote.
Zelenskyy, in return, also thanked Albanese for "Australia's unwavering support for Ukraine and our people.”
"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," he wrote on X.
Jenkins is the first Australian combatant reportedly captured by the Russians.
Russia has said that foreign nationals fighting for Ukraine will be prosecuted as mercenaries and face up to 15 years in jail.