Ukrainian Government officials and all responsible persons should serve the State and develop unity when it comes to the fate of Ukrainians who are currently imprisoned and in captivity abroad, primarily in Russia. The Prime Minister of Ukraine Volodymyr Groysman said on air of the 1 + 1 TV channel, commenting on the failure to return back home 24 Ukrainian sailors who are still in Russian captivity.

The Head of Government said that it is critical to think about the actions to be taken instead of thinking about popularity. And the Ukrainian Government has been and still takes consistent steps, since November of last year - the time when Ukrainian seamen were taken prisoners - the Government has provided all necessary assistance - material, legal, etc.

"Everyone of us must serve the State and develop unity. Let's come not for popularity, but for answers to the questions", said Volodymyr Groysman. "Everything that concerns our statehood must unite us. Our soldiers must get back home. They are innocent! ... The aim is to get the guys back. And this is a fundamental issue."

Background

In late November 2018, Russian troops captured 24 Ukrainian sailors and their naval vessels under the false pretext of "breaking the borders". The Government of Ukraine immediately responded to this accident in several directions – provided assistance to families of sailors, organized legal protection of sailors and encouraged the attention of the international community to the situation with the capture of Ukrainian seamen. Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman urged the international community not only to respond to this act of creeping aggression but also send a special EU mission to the Azov Sea to assess the situation and make recommendations for its further settlement.