Several countries offer to help Ukraine return captives and exiled civilians

Source: Office of the Ukrainian President

At a Ministerial Conference on the Human Dimension of the Peace Formula held in Montreal, participants issued a joint communiqué pledging to assist Ukraine in returning all prisoners and deported citizens. The conference members agreed to strengthen Ukraine’s collaboration with international partners and organizations to address humanitarian issues and uphold the Geneva Conventions.

The initiative will need to decide on what countries can act as ‘trusted intermediaries’ on the issue.  The conference participant also proposed to set up some scheme that will  provide consular services to Ukrainians temporarily residing in Russia.

Canadian Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly name the countries who reached out to Ukaine.

“I extend my gratitude to Qatar, the Vatican, and South Africa for their role as mediators in negotiating the return of children. I also thank Qatar and Lithuania for serving as transit countries in bringing these children home. Additionally, I appreciate the United Arab Emirates for continuing to mediate discussions on prisoner exchanges,” Joly stated.

The conference established a group of nations that will gather information on captives, including children, and verifying data to support Ukraine’s efforts.

The effort will also launch communication campaigns to raise awareness of Russia’s unlawful detention, mistreatment of Ukrainian civilians and POWs, and the deportation and forced relocation of children.