Zelenska calls on UN Secretary-General to help free women, doctors from Russian captivity

"I also called on the UN Secretary-General to facilitate the release of Ukrainian women and doctors from Russian captivity as they are not combatants under the Geneva Conventions. There are pregnant women and mothers of little babies among the captives," Zelenska posted on Telegram.

According to her, the voice of the UN is heard in all countries, even the Russian Federation. "We need all the world's support to free them. I believe that we will get it and return our heroic Ukrainian women to their families and homeland," the First Lady said.

She thanked Guterres for his personal efforts to support Ukraine. "We are in constant contact with various UN bodies such as UNICEF, UNPFA, UN Women, and we also actively cooperate with Pramila Patten, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict. Our goal is to bring all those guilty of crimes to justice," Ukraine’s First Lady stressed.

Zelenska also noted that Guterres had already visited Ukraine twice since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion. During his first visit in April, the Russians launched a missile attack on Kyiv.

The UN was created after the terrible world war precisely to prevent hostilities, but the 77th General Assembly session opens against the background of the war of aggression unleashed by Russia in Ukraine. "The activities of the UN are now more necessary than ever. After all, right now the Organization must prove itself as a world arbiter," the President's wife added.

As reported, Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal and First Lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska met with UN Secretary-General António Guterres and discussed the implementation of humanitarian programs.

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