Ukraine is looking for a country to mediate in the return of civilians from Russian captivity.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, together with the Commissioner of the Verkhovna Rada for Human Rights, is looking for a country that will help release Ukrainian civilians who are in captivity in Russia.

This was stated by the Commissioner of the Verkhovna Rada for Human Rights Dmytro Lubinets during his speech in parliament with an annual report on the state of adherence to and protection of human rights and freedoms in Ukraine in 2024, reports Ukrinform.

'Indeed, the most difficult task is to return Ukrainian civilians. In the case of prisoners of war, there are Geneva Conventions and the United Arab Emirates as a mediator, while we already have a coalition of countries and a mediator - Qatar, for children. However, when it comes to civilians, no country has yet taken on this obligation,' Lubinets stated.

Lubinets emphasized that the Ukrainian side had approached the Russian side with initiatives to return civilians through intermediaries.

Additional context:

According to the Commissioner of the Verkhovna Rada for Human Rights, over 16,000 civilians have gone missing, and about 1,800 people are in captivity in Russia. Ukraine has been continuously reaching out to Russia through intermediaries regarding the liberation of these individuals. According to the Geneva Convention, Russia is not entitled to hold civilians. However, a solution has yet to be found that would compel Russia to adhere to these norms.