Ukrainian civilians imprisoned by Russia are being forced to dig mass graves, the AP reported.
"This means that a window of opportunity is being left to bargain Ukraine's membership in NATO in negotiations with Russia," Zelenskyy continued.
Ukrainian civilians have reported family members missing since the early months of Russia's unprovoked military invasion last year.
The Ukrainian government now believes Russia has detained a total of about 10,000 civilians, Oleksandr Kononeko, a prisoner exchange negotiator, told AP.
She also was beaten and forced to provide statements to a Russian news outlet to show that Moscow was releasing Ukrainian civilians, AP reported.
Persons:
They're, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Zelenskyy, Oleksandr Kononeko, Olena, Yahupova
Organizations:
AP, NATO, Service, Associated Press, Ukraine, Alliance, United
Locations:
Russia, Zaporizhzhia, Wall, Silicon, Ukrainian, gunpoint, Ukraine, NATO, United Nations, Russian, Moscow