MFA of Ukraine commentary on violation by Russia of mechanisms for release of persons detained in connection with armed conflict in temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine

The decision of the Russian Federation to transfer a group of Ukrainian citizens who were held for a long time in the temporarily occupied territory in Donetsk and Luhansk regions not to Ukraine, but to a private person, Viktor Medvedchuk, grossly and openly violates the established mechanisms for resolving such humanitarian issues. The Journalist reported with reference to the press center of the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry.

This step by the Russian Federation undermined the Normandy format and the Trilateral Contact Group agreements, which are systematically working to ensure the release of people held in connection with the conflict.

Russia’s deliberate leveling of the OSCE’s role in the issue of dismissals is especially indicative and cynical on the day of the visit to Ukraine by the current OSCE head, Swedish Foreign Minister Ann Linde. We demand from the Russia strict observance of all agreements reached in the Normandy format, in particular on ensuring unhindered access of the International Committee of the Red Cross to Ukrainian prisoners of war and hostages in the territories of Ukraine temporarily occupied by Russia, as well as the release of all people detained in connection with the conflict.