We take this opportunity, in conjunction with Ukraine and others, to once again voice our strong objection over the continued detention of Ukrainian hostages that Russia and the separatists it backs continue to hold in defiance of the commitments they made in Minsk.
May 11 was Nadiya Savchenko’s 34th birthday. She’s a symbol for many of strength, and as her name suggests, of the hope for a free and democratic Ukraine. Her unjust and unjustifiable continued imprisonment is similarly an ongoing display of Russia’s central role in the conflict in Ukraine.
Mr. Chair, we reiterate our serious concern over reports that Ukrainian Member of Parliament Nadiya Savchenko is gravely ill while she remains a hostage in Russia. We call on Russia to release Nadiya Savchenko, Oleg Sentsov, and all other Ukrainian hostages it holds.
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
As delivered by Ambassador Daniel B. Baer to the OSCE Permanent Council, Vienna | May 14, 2015
