Commentary of Information Policy Department on the current developments regarding the citizen of Ukraine Nadiia Savchenko

Despite many requests through diplomatic channels, the Russian side today refused a consular official of the Embassy of Ukraine to the Russian Federation to see Nadiia Savchenko in the place of her detention in the city of Voronyezh. Nadiia Savchenko is a representative of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, who was captured in June by terrorist armed groups in the east of Ukraine and illegally transferred to Russia.

In this regard, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine sent a note to the Russian Foreign Ministry, with an emphasis on the gross violation by the Russian Federation of universal norms of international law in the field of human rights and freedoms, international legal obligations under the 1963 Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, as well as the provisions of the 1994 Consular Convention between Ukraine and the Russian Federation.

Under Article 13 of the Consular Convention, the competent authorities of the receiving State shall immediately, not later than four days from the time of detention, ensure the right of a consular official to visit a detained citizen in order to provide him with necessary legal assistance.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine demands from the Russian side to promptly allow our consular officer to see Nadiia Savchenko.

We call on the international community to condemn the systematic breach by the Russian Federation of the rights and freedoms of citizens of Ukraine, as well as to increase pressure on the Russian authorities for the immediate and unconditional release of Nadiia Savchenko and other citizens of our country who are illegally detained in Russia.