At the ministerial conference on the human dimension of the Formula for Peace in Canada, one of the countries expressed its readiness to become a patron under the Geneva Conventions to help Ukrainians in Russia, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha said.

"At this week's meeting in Canada, one state expressed readiness to become a protecting power under the Geneva Conventions to assist Ukrainians in Russia. We are working to make this possible," he said on the X social network.

The minister said that right now, thousands of Ukrainian prisoners of war, civilian hostages, and forcibly deported children are being held in Russia.

"Moscow denies international monitors and medics access guaranteed by international law. Sadly, existing international tools fail to protect our people's rights," Sybiha said.

He said President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's team is working to return the Ukrainians and ensure proper treatment for them.

On October 30 and 31, the Ministerial Conference on the Human Dimension of the Formula for Peace was held in Montreal, Canada.

After the event, Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly announced that Qatar, South Africa, and the Vatican are ready to act as official mediators to support and negotiate the return of Ukrainian children home.

Lithuania and Qatar offered to become transit countries and provide a favorable environment for the return of Ukrainians on their way home.

Separately, the Minister thanked the UAE for the role it continues to play in mediating the exchange of prisoners of war.

In total, more than 45 countries signed a commitment to facilitate the return of all Ukrainian prisoners and deportees within the Ministerial Conference on the Human Dimension.

Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly said more than 70 countries took part in the Human Dimension Ministerial Conference of the Peace Formula in Montreal on October 30-31, despite direct pressure from Russia.