Yermak: Humanitarian issues were just as crucial as security at Jeddah talks

Andriy Yermak, head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, said this in his address to participants of the conference of the Coordination Headquarters on the Treatment of Prisoners of War, titled "Hope, Struggle, Return – Three Years," according to Ukrinform.

"Ukraine is a humane state. We respect the Geneva Conventions and fight for life and dignity. We are not merely calling on the aggressor state and terrorist regime to show an act of goodwill -- if they truly declare a desire for peace -- by exchanging all prisoners under the 'all-for-all' formula. We reiterate this publicly and persistently at every forum, in every negotiation. Notably, at the recent and highly significant meeting in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Ukraine made it clear: the humanitarian track is no less important than the security track," Yermak said.

He stressed that it is crucial that Ukraine's partners recognize this priority. "We are deeply grateful to the United States, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, the Vatican, and many others who support us not only militarily but also in the effort to free our people," he added.

Yermak also addressed those still in captivity: "Know this: we are aware of you. We fight for you every single day. And we will bring you home. Our memory is not just words -- it is a weapon. We will not forget anyone."

Earlier, President Volodymyr Zelensky announced at the same conference that 4,306 people had already been freed from Russian captivity.

Photo credit: Andriy Yermak / Telegram