A Patron State Can Aid in the Return of Prisoners from Russia — Human Rights Defender.

Russia lies that Ukraine allegedly does not want to return Ukrainian prisoners of war, deliberately delaying and sabotaging this process. Partners have proposals that can speed up the return of Ukrainians from Russian captivity.

Speaking on the FREEДOM television channel, the executive director of the Eastern Human Rights Group, lawyer and human rights defender Vera Yastrebova, shared. According to her, Russia tries to discredit Ukraine in the eyes of international partners with its statements.

"This is one of the elements of discrediting the Ukrainian side by the Kremlin regime. In this way, the Russian Federation tries to turn families waiting for the return of their loved ones from captivity, both in Russia and in Ukraine, against the Ukrainian authorities. Another task of the Russian lie is to once again try to discredit Ukraine before international partners and the entire civilized world," Yastrebova stated.

She added that in reality, the international community is in no hurry to believe the loud and false statements of either the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the Russian ombudsman. In turn, Ukraine continues to work with its partners on new initiatives aimed at speeding up the return of Ukrainian citizens from Russian captivity. One of the discussed options is the designation of a patron state that could perform the functions of Ukrainian diplomats on Russian territory.

"This idea of the Ukrainian ombudsman should be supported because the physical presence of Ukraine's partners on Russian territory is very important to facilitate the return of prisoners of war, civilians, and children not only in Ukraine's interest but also for the entire civilized global community," noted the human rights defender.

She believes that there could be several patron states.

"Perhaps it is indeed worth considering not just one specific country, but possibly several, that will take on this challenging task. Because there must be a state through which the Russian Federation would be forced to make concessions. The dictatorial Kremlin regime has no interests other than being forced to fulfill its obligations. Therefore, the country should have authority and instruments to compel the Russian Federation," the human rights defender concluded.