Ukraine's Foreign Ministry expects global pressure on Russia after Hamas hostage release
Photo: US President Donald Trump and Israeli Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana (Getty Images)
The Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomed the release of Israeli hostages in the Gaza Strip by Hamas and expressed hope that international pressure on Russia would help bring an end to the war, according to a comment from the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry.
The ministry welcomed the release of the last group of Israeli hostages who had been held by Hamas for over two years and expressed hope for their "speedy recovery after the inhuman suffering they have endured."
The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry emphasized that Ukraine strongly condemns terrorism in all its forms and considers the detention of civilians as hostages to be unacceptable.
"We are convinced that the release of the hostages should be the first important step in reaching final agreements on the settlement of the Middle East conflict," the ministry noted.
Ukraine also reaffirmed its support for international efforts aimed at achieving a just and lasting peace in the Middle East.
The MFA highlighted the key role of US President Donald Trump’s peace efforts in "achieving a just and lasting peace in the Middle East," adding on "the role of all countries that supported its implementation."
"We hope that in the case of Russia's war against Ukraine, sufficient international pressure can be applied to the aggressor state of Russia to stop the killings and restore security and peace to our country and all of Europe," the ministry added.
Ending war in Gaza Strip
In early October, President Donald Trump presented a 20-point peace plan to end the war in Gaza. The plan provides for the creation of a Peace Council led by the US president and former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair.
Indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas began in Egypt on October 6, with mediation from the US, Egypt, and Qatar. Israel later approved the first phase of the deal, which includes a ceasefire and the release of hostages.
Under the agreement, Israeli forces will partially withdraw from the enclave, followed by the release of all captives.
On October 13, President Trump and three Middle Eastern leaders signed a peace agreement concerning the Gaza Strip.
Hamas released all 49 Israeli hostages it had captured during the October 7, 2023, attack and handed over the remains of those killed.
