The United States condemns in the strongest possible terms the continued detention of Nadiya Savchenko, Oleksander Kolchenko, and Oleg Sentsov. We have not forgotten them – nor any of the other Ukrainian hostages detained on baseless charges by Russia.
The United States remains deeply concerned by serious allegations of mistreatment and abuse of Ukrainian hostages held in Russia. We are also deeply concerned by the misuse of the Russian judicial system. We remind this Council that Savchenko’s trial is a travesty of justice. Russia should immediately dismiss baseless charges and convictions against Savchenko and all of the Ukrainian hostages it holds and release them.
Sanctions against the Russian Federation will remain until it fully implements its Minsk commitments. The continued detention of Ukrainian hostages is directly contrary to the commitments Russia made in the Minsk Package of Measures in February, when it committed once again to “ensure release and exchange of all hostages and unlawfully detained persons.”
Thank you, Madam Chair.
As delivered by Ambassador Daniel B. Baer to the Permanent Council, Vienna
