Montreal Ministerial Conference approves joint communiqué for return of captured and deported Ukrainians
Photo: Office of the President
The Human Dimension of the Peace Formula was the topic of discussion at the Ministerial Conference in Montreal. All participants successfully endorsed the Joint Communiqué. Participating states undertook to facilitate the return of all captured and deported Ukrainian citizens.
The Office of the President reports this.
The communique reflects a common set of principles that will guide the conference participants in the future. It confirms unwavering support for Ukraine's victory and condemns any country that helps Russia carry out its aggression.
In particular, the conference participants agreed to strengthen Ukraine's cooperation with partners and international organizations to resolve humanitarian issues and ensure compliance with the Geneva Conventions.
One crucial aspect is finding reliable intermediary nations to engage in discussions with Russia on the repatriation of Ukrainian military personnel, civilians, and children. Additionally, a suggestion has been made to establish mechanisms through these intermediaries to assist Ukrainians in Russia in accessing consular services.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Andrii Sybiha noted that Ukraine received specific results from this conference, which many Ukrainian families expect.
"We have relevant obligations. We have created a network – these are specific countries that have promised to help us objectively regarding returning children," Sybiha emphasized at the final press conference.
He also called it extremely important that the international community is ready to help establish the whereabouts of Ukrainian prisoners of war.
Photo: Office of the President
Canada's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Melanie Joly, emphasized that Qatar, the Vatican, the Republic of South Africa, Lithuania, and the United Arab Emirates have undertaken concrete commitments to return deported children and prisoners to Ukraine.
"I want to thank Qatar, the Vatican, and South Africa for mediating the children's return. I also want to thank Qatar and Lithuania for being transit countries for the return of these children. Thank you to the United Arab Emirates for the fact that they remain mediators in the negotiations on the exchange of prisoners of war," Melanie Joly said.
Qatar hands lists of missing soldiers and letters from Ukrainian POWs to Ukraine – Ombudsman Lubinets
Furthermore, a coalition will be created among a group of countries to work together with Ukraine in gathering information on detained Ukrainians, including children. It will offer assistance in data gathering and authentication.
The participants of the conference also undertook to provide support to Ukraine in the reintegration of returnees. In addition, strategic communication campaigns will spread information about Russia's illegal detention and ill-treatment of Ukrainian civilians and prisoners of war, deportation, and forced transfer of children.
Minister of Foreign Affairs of Norway Espen Barth Eide emphasized the importance of access of representatives of international humanitarian organizations to Ukrainian prisoners of war and their participation in the return of deported children.
"We must show our determination in this work. This will greatly contribute to implementing the ten points of the Peace Formula," Espen Barth Eide noted.
With this event, Ukraine and dozens of partner countries completed thematic conferences based on individual points of the Peace Formula.
Nine such meetings were held from August to November, after each of which a Joint Communiqué was adopted. Based on all these developments, work will begin on forming proposals for the second Peace Summit.
In total, more than 70 countries and international organizations took part in this conference.
For reference:
The last prisoner exchange took place on the night of October 19. On October 18, 95 Ukrainian soldiers, among whom were the defenders of "Azovstal" and the famous human rights defender Maksym Butkevych, returned home from Russian captivity. This was already the 58th exchange of prisoners of war conducted by Ukraine in the "95 for 95" format.
As many as 34 soldiers of the 12th brigade of the Azov National Guard, who participated in the defense of Mariupol in the spring of 2022, returned home.
However, Ukraine already knows about more than a hundred cases of executions by the Russian military of soldiers of the Defense Forces who surrendered as prisoners.
In addition, it is known that at least 177 Ukrainians died in Russian captivity.
