Nepal, May 1 -- Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal has urged Ukraine to release and repatriate nine Nepali nationals currently held as prisoners of war, citing humanitarian grounds.During a telephone conversation with his Ukrainian counterpart, Andrii Sybiha, on Thursday, the two ministers discussed Nepal-Ukraine relations and the status of Nepali nationals detained by Ukrainian forces, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA).

Khanal informed Sybiha that the Government of Nepal does not permit the recruitment of its citizens into foreign armies, except in countries with which Nepal has longstanding agreements. He strongly requested the Ukrainian government to release and return the detained Nepali nationals.

In response, Sybiha ...