15:25 11.10.2024

Zelenskyy discusses returning Ukrainians from captivity with Pope Francis

2 min read
Zelenskyy discusses returning Ukrainians from captivity with Pope Francis

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said that during a meeting with Pope Francis in the Vatican on Friday, October 11, the main issue was the return of captured Ukrainians.

The issue of bringing our people home from captivity was the main focus of my meeting with Pope Francis. We are counting on the Holy See’s assistance in helping to bring back Ukrainians who have been taken captive by Russia,” Zelenskyy said on Telegram.

He stressed that everything that concerns captive and deported people, both adults and children, remains very painful for everyone in Ukraine.

"Russia continues the forced resettlement of our Ukrainian children - from one occupied region to another. And it also continues to deport our Ukrainian children to Russia. And then it is very difficult to even look for these children," the President noted, the press service of the head of state reported.

Separately, Zelenskyy asked the pontiff to facilitate the return home of Ukrainian journalists, public figures, community leaders from the occupied territory, all those captured. At the meeting, it was agreed that Ukraine will hand over a list of captured journalists.

“Yesterday, it was reported that Ukrainian journalist Victoria Roschyna died in Russian captivity. For many Ukrainian journalists who knew Victoria, her death is a heavy blow. Many other journalists, public figures, community heads from occupied territories, and ordinary people who were captured during the Russian occupation remain in Russian captivity,” the President said.

"We know that over 400 women are held captive in Russia. It has been confirmed through the International Committee of the Red Cross and other sources that 1,700 civilians are in captivity. According to our information, this number could be significantly higher," the President added and emphasized that almost all those returning from captivity need medical care and long-term rehabilitation.

Zelenskyy also spoke about the work being carried out to implement the Peace Formula, specifically about the upcoming conference on the return of prisoners and deported Ukrainians, which will be held at the ministerial level in Canada on October 30–31. He invited a representative of the Vatican to participate in this event.

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