Several countries pledge to return POWs and deported Ukrainians
Photo: Participants of the Ministerial Conference on the Peace Formula in Montreal (president.gov.ua)c
Following the Ministerial Conference on the Peace Formula in Montreal, Canada, a joint communiqué was approved. Participating states committed to returning all POWs and deported citizens of Ukraine who Russian forces had taken, according to the Presidential Office of Ukraine.
The key aspect of the communiqué is the alignment of the Montreal commitment, aimed at facilitating the return of all imprisoned and deported Ukrainians.
The President's Office announced that conference participants agreed to strengthen cooperation between Ukraine and its partners and international organizations to address humanitarian issues and ensure compliance with the Geneva Conventions.
"One of the key points is to identify trusted mediating states for negotiations with Russia on the return of Ukrainian military, civilians, and children," the statement from the President's Office said.
Additionally, with the help of intermediaries, it was proposed "to develop mechanisms that would allow Ukrainians in Russia to receive consular services."
“We have secured commitments. We have established a network of specific countries that have pledged targeted assistance in the return of children,” said Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha at the concluding press conference.
The official added that the international community is ready to assist in locating Ukrainian POWs of war.
Countries taking on commitments
According to Canadian Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly, Qatar, the Vatican, the Republic of South Africa (RSA), Lithuania, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) "have made specific commitments on the return of deported children and captives to Ukraine."
- Qatar, the Vatican, and RSA will serve as intermediaries in the negotiation process for the return of Ukrainian children abducted by Russian forces.
- Qatar and Lithuania will also act as transit countries for the return of these children home.
- The UAE will remain an intermediary in negotiations concerning the exchange of POWs of war, according to Joly.
"In addition, a group of countries will be formed to cooperate with Ukraine in searching for information on captured Ukrainians, including children, and to assist in data collection and verification," the President's Office of Ukraine announced.
The participating countries in the Montreal conference also committed to supporting Ukraine in reintegrating those returned.
Conferences on Ukraine's peace formula
The President's Office noted that this event marks the conclusion of thematic conferences held by Ukraine with dozens of partner countries based on specific points of the peace formula. From August to November, a total of nine such meetings took place. Based on all the agreements made during these meetings, work will begin on proposals for the second Peace Summit.
More than 70 states and international organizations participated in this conference.
