At least 300 prisoners of war have returned to their homeland in a highly anticipated New Years swap between Ukraine and Russia.

It comes just days after Oscar Jenkins became the first known Australian citizen to be captured by Russian forces, after enlisting in Ukraine's foreign legion earlier this year. 

Today, international law expert Professor Don Rothwell speaks to ABC News Radio about whether Australia could make exchange negotiations similar to those used for the New Year’s prisoner swaps, to bring Oscar Jenkins home.

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Professor Don Rothwell, ANU College of Law