Releasing all those “unlawfully detained” during the Ukraine war must be prioritized, according to Oleksandra Matviichuk, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate and prominent Ukrainian human rights lawyer. Matviichuk made these remarks ahead of a crucial meeting at the White House between U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, reports 24brussels.
She alleged that “the Russian Federation continues to hold tens of thousands of Ukrainian civilians and prisoners of war.” She noted that “tens of thousands more are missing as victims of enforced disappearances,” and highlighted the plight of “thousands of Russian political prisoners deprived of their liberty because of their anti-war positions and actions.”
Matviichuk underscored that “the key priority of any negotiated agreement must be the release of all captives of Russia’s war against Ukraine.” She detailed the number of individuals affected, stating, “Among them: Thousands of Ukrainian civilians held by the Russian state; thousands of Ukrainian and Russian prisoners of war held by both sides; at least 20,000 children forcibly transferred or deported to Russia; hundreds of Russian political prisoners held behind bars for protests against the war.”
She continued, sharing harrowing accounts from survivors, stating, “In the years of the war, I have spoken to many survivors of the Russian captivity who told me how they and other captives were beaten, tortured with electric shocks, and raped.” She emphasized the urgency of releasing unlawfully detained individuals, expressing concern that “the captives may not last long enough to see the end of the war.”
Matviichuk leads the Center for Civil Liberties in Kyiv, where she plays a critical role in documenting war crimes and advocating for justice amid Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2022 for her courageous human rights work, she will address these issues during a keynote speech in Amsterdam on August 24-25, focusing on Ukraine’s ongoing struggle and the global fight to defend democratic values amid rising threats.
Meanwhile, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen issued a statement following her meeting in Brussels with President Zelensky. She is also scheduled to meet Donald Trump and other EU leaders soon.
In her statement, von der Leyen remarked, “Since the beginning of Russia’s brutal invasion, Europe has been at Ukraine’s side, united, and we will support you for as long as it takes for a just and lasting peace. And this peace must be achieved through strength.”
She outlined several key points, asserting that “we must have strong security guarantees to protect both Ukraine and Europe’s vital security interests. Ukraine must be able to uphold its sovereignty and its territorial integrity.” Furthermore, she stated that there are “no limitations on Ukrainian armed forces, be it cooperation with other third countries, or assistance from other third countries.”
As she noted, “Ukraine must become a steel porcupine, undigestible for potential invaders.” She acknowledged President Trump’s willingness to contribute to Article 5-like security guarantees for Ukraine, emphasizing that “the Coalition of the Willing, including the European Union, is ready to do its share.”
von der Leyen also highlighted ongoing efforts to strengthen Ukraine’s defense capabilities, mentioning the development of drones and Ukraine’s pathway toward EU membership as a crucial security guarantee.
Her comments included a firm stance on territorial issues, reiterating that “international borders cannot be changed by force. These are decisions to be made by Ukraine and Ukraine alone, and these decisions cannot be taken without Ukraine at the table.”
Finally, she reiterated the EU’s commitment to maintaining economic pressure on Russia while bloodshed continues in Ukraine, stating, “We will continue to strengthen sanctions.” She confirmed that the 19th package of sanctions is being prepared for early September, underlining the effectiveness of previous sanctions in working against Russia’s war economy.
She concluded her statement by expressing confidence in continued collaboration with both Presidents Zelensky and Trump, stating that, “only Ukraine can choose its own destiny, but Ukraine can always count on Europe.”
